Can not squat without knees popping

grungedaze

I'm not sure that I'm doing anything wrong, but my knees pop every single time I go down for a barbell squat. I've been on the 5x5 program for a couple weeks now and my knees have not stopped popping yet. I figured they would get used to it after a while but nothing has gotten any better or worse. I also have a little tenderness in them right after I finish squatting. Is any of this normal? Is it okay to continue squatting? I've been letting the bar rest on my traps and going down until I'm perpendicular to the floor with my hips back, chest out and head up. I don't think my form is off. I haven't ever injured my knee either, so I'm just not sure what it could be. Does anyone else experience this? Would wearing knee braces be any help?

DopeItUp

You'd probably want to post an actual video for form critique. Describing what you do doesn't really mean anything.

Having said that, popping doesn't mean anything, mine have popped from every single squat I've ever done. But if you're getting pain and swelling then that's a different story.

Cherimoose

Yeah, popping isn't necessarily bad, but pain afterward isn't good. Try warming up your knees before lifting by doing 10-15 minutes of cycling or elliptical.

Also set up a camera in front of you at hip level, and check if your knees are moving inwards.

XavierNusum

Make sure you are pushing your knees out so that they track over your toes. What does your stance look like? How wide are your feet?

SonyaCele

my knees pop and crunch. My pt and sports doctor say that's normal as long as there is no pain with it. They pop and crunch less when i'm warmed up. If you have pain you should see the dr .