Squats bad for knees?

Rachlovesfitness
Rachlovesfitness Posts: 219 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Reading mixed reviews what do you think? I have one knee that is slightly messed up from running wrong three years ago...I still do P90x weight lifting and I use the spin bike almost every day with no problem...
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Replies

  • Bennysammysofie2
    Bennysammysofie2 Posts: 137
    If u squat poorly, u will mess up more than your knees. Get away from traditional back squats. Do 1 leg squats instead. Google mike Boyle....he's the best
  • Troublemonster
    Troublemonster Posts: 223 Member
    Take the time to learn to squat properly and you should be fine. The fact that you are able to run and spin without pain tells me you're probably gonna be fine but only you and your doctor know for sure. If you are doing squats and you experience pain you are:

    1. probably doing it wrong like allowing your knees to buckle in instead pushing them out etc or
    2. you are too injured to be doing anything and you'll need to visit a PT or surgeon to get it corrected.

    My knee was scoped years ago and since I have started squatting I have had ZERO knee pain. I hit legs harder than anything else now and hit them hard 2x per week. If I was damaging my knees I would probably know it by now.

    go to youtube and search "so you think you can squat" one of the more in-depth and detailed squat tutorials I have ever seen, in many parts.

    My other favorite on youtube is Elliott Hulse. His view is "That thing you CAN'T do is that which you MUST do."
  • LishLash79
    LishLash79 Posts: 562 Member
    I never used to squat becuase of bad knees.. but then I realised I was doing it all wrong. I fixed my form, worked on the muscles surrounding the knee (to strengthen it for other activities as well) and now I am doing weighted squats and my *kitten* has never looked better.. LOVE THEM
  • redheaddee
    redheaddee Posts: 2,005 Member
    Squats can actually help the knees. Be sure your form is good.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kawBY5p29fQ
  • fittocycle
    fittocycle Posts: 827 Member
    I think it depends on what the issue is with your knee. I've had knee surgery twice (torn meniscus in each knee) and have bone on bone issues. The orthopedist instructed me not to do squats or lunges. So, I sort of listened to his advice. I don't do lunges and do "shallow" squats. I still do spin class, pilates, yoga, the elliptical and walk on the treadmill. :happy:
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Who's knees?
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    The only way to know is to try. If you start feeling discomfort stop before you get to pain. Stay at that level.
    There are books about this. Find one.
  • Hauntinglyfit
    Hauntinglyfit Posts: 5,537 Member
    I have really crappy knees, for a 60 yo. And I am in my 20's.

    In my experience, high reps no weight (used to do a bootcamp type class once a week where you had to do as many squats as you could in 2 minutes) meant pain to the point where I cringed every time i had to go down a flight of stairs.
    High weight, low rep is fine for me. You'd still have to see for yourself.
  • cstigs84
    cstigs84 Posts: 15 Member
    Bad form is bad for knees.
  • Kate814
    Kate814 Posts: 145
    Bad form is bad for knees.

    Basically this. If you're doing squats correctly they shouldn't hurt or damage your knees, but most people do them incorrectly
  • ereck44
    ereck44 Posts: 1,170 Member
    I think that squats will help improve the strength of the muscles supporting the knees: If you feel pain, stop!
  • 2essie
    2essie Posts: 2,848 Member
    I have had bad knees for a few years. The joys of getting older. I decided to try squats and have gone from walking upstairs on all fours to practically running up. I have lost weight too which has helped but in the early days of losing the squats were great for me but I suppose it depends on what your knee trouble is.

    I believe in strengthening muscles around injuries to protect them.
  • Synchronicity
    Synchronicity Posts: 82 Member
    I feel like squats have strengthened my knees... and hips... and lower back...

    I do squat with my toes pointed out about 45 degrees and I make sure my heels are shoulders' width apart. The toes-out stance seems to help take the stress off the knees. Don't know if that's the "right" way to do it, but it works for me.
  • NRSPAM
    NRSPAM Posts: 961 Member
    When I started doing NROLFW, it talks about how many women have weak hamstrings, that can cause knee pain. The book has me doing step-ups, weighted squats, and other things to strengthen my quads and hamstrings. My knees still crackle like rice crispies, but I have to say they haven't been causing me as much pain lately. Make sure when you're squating that your knees don't go past your ankles. Bootie out, use those legs to push up, and push up through the heel. ;) Good luck!
  • wheird
    wheird Posts: 7,963 Member
    It depends
  • D8vidFitness
    D8vidFitness Posts: 104
    if it hurts, don't do it :smile:

    Your body is your own.

    once you feel confident of your knee recovery, give it a go and test the waters.

    best wishes
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Generally, with good form, they are not bad for knees. However, if you have a pre-existing injury, it really depends on the injury.
  • alisonlynn1976
    alisonlynn1976 Posts: 929 Member
    I had a knee injury a few years ago, and I do squats now with no problem. I think the weight loss is the best thing I could have done for myself to prevent future knee injuries. Carrying around significantly less body weight makes a big difference!
  • ElizabethFuller
    ElizabethFuller Posts: 352 Member
    I never used to squat becuase of bad knees.. but then I realised I was doing it all wrong. I fixed my form, worked on the muscles surrounding the knee (to strengthen it for other activities as well)

    ^^This! Exactly the same, because I couldn't get low enough due to pain I was doing half squats which put stress on the knees, this actually caused me more pain - so I thought I couldn't do them!
    Have a look at "Starting Strength" by Mark Rippetoe, I think you can preview the bit on squats on Amazon, if you do them properly they don't strain the knees at all. Good luck.
  • Huffdogg
    Huffdogg Posts: 1,934 Member
    Squatting properly is extremely good for your knees. Squatting badly is not.
  • Huffdogg
    Huffdogg Posts: 1,934 Member
    I think it depends on what the issue is with your knee. I've had knee surgery twice (torn meniscus in each knee) and have bone on bone issues. The orthopedist instructed me not to do squats or lunges. So, I sort of listened to his advice. I don't do lunges and do "shallow" squats. I still do spin class, pilates, yoga, the elliptical and walk on the treadmill. :happy:

    Partial squats are worse than full squats.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Assuming good squat technique.... it still totally depends on your particular injury.
    Don't think anyone would argue that keeping your leg muscles strong is important for supporting damaged knees but what your capabilities are will differ from person to person and whether squats are the right (or best) exercise for YOU isn't universal.

    Squats don't suit my particular set of knee injuries although I can manage a reasonable amount of weight in leg presses but cycling has been the best exercise for me over the years for maintaining quad strength.

    A professional assessment will give you a much clearer idea rather than generic advice on a forum.
  • Paula038
    Paula038 Posts: 42 Member
    [/quote]
    Have a look at "Starting Strength" by Mark Rippetoe, I think you can preview the bit on squats on Amazon, if you do them properly they don't strain the knees at all. Good luck.
    [/quote]

    Same story - told never to squat by orthopedic surgeon, physiotherapist and trainer, because of bad knee. 10 years later, discovered the correct technique, and started doing lots of squats. After just a couple of weeks, my knees have become noticeably stronger, and the pain I had when walking or cycling has all but disappeared. It still crackles and pops, though, but the squats do not strain it at all.
  • stephv38
    stephv38 Posts: 203 Member
    bumping to check out more later
  • KBGAgent
    KBGAgent Posts: 165 Member


    go to youtube and search "so you think you can squat" one of the more in-depth and detailed squat tutorials I have ever seen, in many parts.

    My other favorite on youtube is Elliott Hulse. His view is "That thing you CAN'T do is that which you MUST do."

    I've been having right knee pain/tweeks when I squat. I noticed on my own that keeping my weight on heals and outside of foot helped reduce that problem. So, in the video "So you think you can squat" , when he said that you should keep your weight on your heals/outside, it resonated with me. I plan to keep all the things he explained in mind next time I do squats. Thanks for suggesting this video series.
  • Troublemonster
    Troublemonster Posts: 223 Member


    I've been having right knee pain/tweeks when I squat. I noticed on my own that keeping my weight on heals and outside of foot helped reduce that problem. So, in the video "So you think you can squat" , when he said that you should keep your weight on your heals/outside, it resonated with me. I plan to keep all the things he explained in mind next time I do squats. Thanks for suggesting this video series.

    I love the EliteFTS videos. They have dead-lifting and bench press tutorials as well. Their people seem to be really solid teachers.
  • kelly_e_montana
    kelly_e_montana Posts: 1,999 Member
    Keep your weight in your heels, chest up, and track your knees out not in. Bad squats are bad for your knees, so don't do bad squats.:wink:
  • grammagie
    grammagie Posts: 142 Member
    I have often wondered this also. My trainer recently started me on squatting. I have osteoarthritis in my knees..both of them..since losing some weight and becoming dedicated and loving the gym, I think they are better. I don't have the pain I used to as we are strengthening the muscles around them maybe?? I don't think arthritis can disappear and I've had cortisone shots for over ten years, but they sure feel better.
  • moya_rargh
    moya_rargh Posts: 1,473 Member
    Reading mixed reviews what do you think? I have one knee that is slightly messed up from running wrong three years ago...I still do P90x weight lifting and I use the spin bike almost every day with no problem...

    Nope, trying to squat too heavy is bad for already weak knees. Arthritis in the knee runs in my family and I love squatting. Best to start light and work within your own range of motion.
  • thundrks
    thundrks Posts: 43 Member
    I too was having knee pain from squats. I watched a million videos but couldn't seem to get it right. I finally tried flipping a laundry basket upside down and squatting just until my butt touched the top of the basket, then back up. It keeps me from going too low which I guess was my problem because the pain in my knees quit. the pain in my hips and thighs is another story! (at least I know they're working!) Hope that you find something that helps you! :smile:

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