re: OT Workout Gurus: What are some lower body lifts that are not bad on knees?

Question - it's both knees that are bothering you? same way?

My advice:
- Lay off the leg extensions
- As someone who competed you probably already know this but in squats, let your tail go back, not your knees forward. Just part of good form as others have mentioned. This loads your hips (big joint), not your knees (small joint). Similarly with leg presses, your knees shouldn't go forward.
- If after this, your discomfort persists, I would see an orthopedic doc. As young as you are, getting things right now would be worth it in the long run.

Squats full depth arse to grass are actually good for the knees. The idiots saying partial depth don't understand physics and don't know shite about lifting. Same goes for leg extensions, they are horrible for you. Leg press is not easy on the either.

I suggest barbell squats full depth but if you wanna try something different then try landmine squats. Allows you to use heavy weight but forces you into the perfect squat position because of the arc of the path the barbell takes.

Leg extensions are terrible, and I only do light weight on leg curls.

I do leg press and calf raises. Some lunges, occasionally.

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Key is to NOT go as low as you would before. You can do lunges, squats, leg press, etc. But toss out the "accepted depth" in which you used to go.
Half it. And despite what some will say about machines, I find the leg extension and leg curl machines to not give me any issues with knees. Try that at risk but it may be similar for you if you've not had major reconstruction or anything.

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no no no, just no

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Squats full depth arse to grass are actually good for the knees. The idiots saying partial depth don't understand physics and don't know shite about lifting. Same goes for leg extensions, they are horrible for you. Leg press is not easy on the either.

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finally, somebody with some knowledge

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I suggest barbell squats full depth but if you wanna try something different then try landmine squats. Allows you to use heavy weight but forces you into the perfect squat position because of the arc of the path the barbell takes.

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First step is being able to do a body weight squat or a squat with some corrective assistance. If you can't do this, no need for a barbell. Landmine squats are great BUT not to "force" a movement. If the squat is faulty, external load will only cement the faulty pattern, not fix it.

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As far as squats go, what's best to do for bad knees? Land mine squat?

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bad knees is very broad term. I've got people with no cartilage left in their knees. They'll never squat to depth with weight again. What we do for them (if the pattern is good and all that is wrong is they "can't go lower") is what we call deloaded squats. Attach a rubber band high above your head and .... i'll find a video, lol. for these people, it's only meant to preserve ROM. If it's bad enough, we don't even do that. It's all done on a case by case basis so it's hard to say "this is the universal solution"

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no no no, just no

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Wanna fight? I'm just saying what has worked for me, you ole coot. And for the OP to try other things out and don't pay attention to what people swear by.

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i'll kick you in the freakin knee!!!

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I won't tell you which one. Or I'll do the ole "It's this one!" and point to the good knee.



My bad knee sucks donkey dick with arthritis from torn pcl(99) and two knee scopes for junk(as result of falling in tackles) in 06 and 10. Something always bothers it and then other shite I do that SHOULD bother it doesn't. Voltaren, Naprosyn, regular exercizzle seem to work wonders when it's flared up.

I think my cartilage is alright, but I've had two ACL reconstructions, one less than as year ago, and a significant portion of my medial meniscus has been removed.

I would agree a bw squat is the first step, i was assuming he could do that. The landmine squat force you to sit back in the lift, thats why i recommend them, similar to a goblet squat but actually loadable.