Knee pain with squats and lunges

I also expereince knee pain since incorporating many squats and lunges lately. The only thing that seems to work is to rest, elevate and ice them. I don't know if that will work for you but it could. Also, go to a running store (not big box stores like Sports or the others) and have them fit you for proper sneakers. Although your not running, squats and lunges are tough on the knees and I'm sure they'd be able to help you find something that will help support the impact these moves have on your knees.

Also, try a knee brace it may or may not help but its worth a try.

Good luck!

If you are doing squats and lunges, you should NOT be in running shoes while doing them! You should be in shoes that allow your feet to support the weight of your body as well as any additional weight you are using. Running shoes are built to sustain shock from your feet hitting solid ground and are too "bouncy" to be appropriate for when you are doing weight bearing exercises. I am a runner and I just bought a pair of Vibram FiveFingers. These are the ONLY shoes I would consider lifting AND running in. They allow your toes to spread and be grounded as is required when lifting.
That said-I have tendonitis in my right knee and have since High School. You SHOULD consult your Dr to see what underlying issues may be present, especially considering you have prior injuries. You may want to build your quadraceps muscles using the machines(I know, heaven forbid I mention machines, but I was rehabbed using the leg extension machine by a top notch sports surgeon, so...) This way if you need LESS than your body weight to build strength in order for your knees not to ache, then you can. Then, once those muscles are stronger, you can attempt using your body weight again.
I've only recently been able to do lunges without knee pain. Squats, for whatever reason, have never bothered my knees. And while I can do a lot of weight with a squat, I can now only do lunges with my body weight-no extra weight added as of yet. I'm working on it, though. If you are currently using weight and your form is bad, STOP using added weight and just get your form down and use your body weight for now. We all start somewhere-no need to injure yourself in the process.

Perhaps less weight (if you're carrying dumbbells), more reps? Otherwise, check your form. Just a thought.

Never ever do partial squats. Squat to parallel or just below it. You want the top of your thigh parallel to the floor; your hip crease below your knee. Doing partial squats is guaranteed way to hurt your knees.

I'm not using any weights, just my body weight. I thought it was better to get my form correct first, then work on doing full squats and lunges.

The problem with doing full squats is I can't keep form. When I drop my thighs parallel to the floor, I lean forward and onto my toes, otherwise I fall over. Lunges aren't so bad, but I can't get my other leg to touch the floor.

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/how-to-squat-properly/#axzz28fAvUIE8
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/how-to-proper-squat-technique/#axzz28fAvUIE8 (watch the video)

I have bad knees and have started with the pole assisted squat. I can only do 2 reps of 10 so far, but I go as far down as I possibly can. I can see my posture in the mirror as I do them. Each day it gets easier and my flexibility (hip, ankle) is vastly improved and my knees are not complaining as much as they did when I started.

Best advice I've heard for making sure you have proper form when doing a squat is to stick your butt out. Exaggerate it ... you should feel as though you could tip backward, not forward. All the weight should be in your heels.

Bump

OOps meant to type don't Lean, not mean them forward

i have bad knees (had acl replaced) and i do squats but i put a stability ball behind me and up against a wall to assist me with them.

I'm incorporating squats and lunges into my strength days. I knew when I started that I wouldn't be able to do full versions of either exercise to start out (my form is poopy). I can keep form, but only doing partials, and I've discovered my knees are being very creaky and crunchy. .

Partial squats are actually WORSE on your knees then squats below parallel (which is a TRUE squat and how you should be squatting).

Lunges are bad for your knees if your knees are over your toes. When you lunge the first movement should be your butt going back. Between that and keeping your back straight your knees/toes will then be in the proper alignment.

If you're knees are hurting you are definately doing them wrong. In order to get your form correct, do them with a ball behind your back up against a wall, or do them in a door way (which was the suggested method from my physio therapist when I totally crapped out my knee).

Doorway method. Hold the door frame with your hands a bit lower than shoulder height. Then squat down so than you are actually supporting your weight with your hands. You should feel like you will fall backwards if you let go of the door frame.

Ball Method. Place the exercise ball in the small of your back against a wall and lean into it - rather than just standing up straight to hold it there. Slide down into the "Squat" position - - which will feel like a Wall sit at this point. Be sure to lean back into the ball so that it does not roll down your back.

Using either method - when you come up, you should be lifting with your GLUTES and the back of your legs rather than the front of your legs which is what makes your knees hurt. When you are coming up from the squat, all the weight should be squarely on your heels rather than on your toes - which is another form issue that a great number of people have. Concentrate on lifting your body with those muscles, and you will feel less pain in your knees.