Need to replace squats
nikkohli
Posts: 311 Member
I have a big long story but I'll spare you 
Does anyone replace their squats with something else? I tried the seated leg press but it didn't feel like it was doing much....any ideas? I don't want to stop the program, but squats are so integral that I am not sure what to do instead.
Thanks!
Does anyone replace their squats with something else? I tried the seated leg press but it didn't feel like it was doing much....any ideas? I don't want to stop the program, but squats are so integral that I am not sure what to do instead.
Thanks!
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Replies
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Are you replacing squats due to injury or a different issue? I think any potential replacement moves would depend on why squats can't be done...0
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Due to injury in my hip. I have no problem with lunges and have done the legs press machine too ( but didn't feel like it did much)0
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Have you been to a PT or seen a sports doc? You just want to make sure whatever you replace squats with doesnt aggravate further problems.0
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Just a follow up: I ask because I have had major knee problems in the past. I did some great PT and now I can squat fine, but I also have mobility exercises that address the issues if they continue.
If you can't squat because of injury, a good PT can help you rehab the injury, and if you're just plain hurting there are exercises that can help that too, but you have to address the underlying issue.
And if you don't, you'll have more issues down the road. I tore my ACL and did crappy post surgery rehab, and it bit me in the butt with a second knee injury 6 years later. That's why I am always an advocate for addressing the imbalances early!0 -
I also had a torn ACL (Anterior Collateral Ligament) a couple of years ago and couldn't squat either let alone bend my knee. I had a few sessions with a physio, who also clicked my knee and an MRI to confirm what it was. I did my rehab programme as best as I could and took a month and a half out of my martial arts training and any other exercise. Now my knee is as strong as ever and I can do a full squat and bend my knee with ease. Like others have said go and see a specialist, do the rehab and take time out if you have to. Squats, in my opinion, are an essential exercise especially if want a shapely but and legs.
All the best 0 -
Thanks! I was trying to spare you guys the whole long story but I have been to an ortho and am doing PT. The PT suggested weighted lunges, but those don't feel as rigorous as the squats because I can't hold as much weight, so I was wondering if anyone had some success with other exercises. Thanks 0
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Thanks! I was trying to spare you guys the whole long story but I have been to an ortho and am doing PT. The PT suggested weighted lunges, but those don't feel as rigorous as the squats because I can't hold as much weight, so I was wondering if anyone had some success with other exercises. Thanks
To the bolded: you could try doing more lunges compared to squats. As long as your training volume increases, you're making progress.
If you normally squat 100 pounds for 5x5, you could do 50 lunges with 50 pounds for the same training volume. Add 2 more lunges (1 for each leg), and you've increased your training volume.
(5x5 squats at 100 pounds=2500 pounds total lifted)
(50 lunges at 50 pounds=2500 pounds total lifted)0 -
^^^ Thanks!
I was on my phone earlier so I couldn't type in too much detail.
Basically, I have been having hip pain since Oct. First I thought it was a form issue so I backed off weight (I was at 105) and went back to the bar to fix my form. There wasn't much I needed to change there so then I took my time reloading-doing each weight progression 3X before moving on and added a lot of hip stretches to open up before lifting.
My hip started hurting again so I stopped completely for 2 mos while I waited for an appointment with an ortho doctor who dx'd me with a hip pointer, basically because he didn't know what else to say.
That diagnosis didn't really make much sense to me, so I have been going to PT and doing the stretches while I wait for my appointment at another office for a 2nd opinion. So I am trying to get to the bottom of the "why" and fix it, but in the meantime, I would like to keep doing some sort of exercise to replace the squat until I can see what is really wrong.
I like the lunges idea--any other thoughts now that you have more background info?0 -
Another thought- know idea if this would help- but if it is the carrying the weight volume that is an issue during lunges could you put some weights in a backpack or get a weighted vest?
That might be useless information so feel free to ignore if it is!0 -
fothers365 wrote: »Another thought- know idea if this would help- but if it is the carrying the weight volume that is an issue during lunges could you put some weights in a backpack or get a weighted vest?
That might be useless information so feel free to ignore if it is!
No! That's a great idea Thanks! I have adjustable dumbbells at home that are nice, but they are so long that it gets unwiedly as you increase weight. Putting them in a backpack would be worth a try!
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I wasn't able to squat for the first month or so of doing SL 5x5. I did the incline leg press, where you push up and out, vs. just out. If you feel like it's not doing much, pile on those plates! You should be able to press a whole lot more than you squat, since your body weight it taken out of the move. So, for example, I can squat 140 lbs, but can leg press 450 lbs. It will definitely feel like it's doing something once the weight gets higher.0
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I wasn't able to squat for the first month or so of doing SL 5x5. I did the incline leg press, where you push up and out, vs. just out. If you feel like it's not doing much, pile on those plates! You should be able to press a whole lot more than you squat, since your body weight it taken out of the move. So, for example, I can squat 140 lbs, but can leg press 450 lbs. It will definitely feel like it's doing something once the weight gets higher.
Thanks!! That makes sense!
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