knees...

[FeeFee]

Hi folks, I'm new to the forum....
I used to work out hardcore up to four years ago and then I had to stop because of job change....anyway, I restarted in May of this year.

I am really serious about restoring body to its former glory. I dont have alot of work to do to get there, but thighs have always been problem area ...I have like a swimmer's thighs (powerful with naturally emphasized quads), only I tend to have too much fat on inner thighs...
So, I've been hitting the leg-work hard...I started incorporating squats into routine and knees are achy when I'm done. I know the weights arent too heavy, because I'm not struggling with it. Its not easy, but its not difficult either.

knees also hurt when I do any other activity at the gym that requires leg pressure, such as running, aerobics, leg presses. What can I do about that?
All responses appreciated.

[Boss Man]

Have you tried things like Glucosamine, Chondritin, MSM, Shark Cartilage, as they can help with things like Joints.

You will get a problem with Thighs, it's a very good area to store Fat.

One thing that might assist things, and I say might, is where you stand on a rubber band, keeping the Legs almost locked.

1. move the right Leg about 40 degrees to the right, then bring it back down.

2. Repeat with the left Leg.

You should look something like this.

|| |\ || /| ||

That might help, but I can't guarantee you any results with thighs doing this.

I'd do it for about 1 minute tops at a time.

[benjamteal]

You might also want to concentrate on strict form. When you do squats and lunges, try to make sure that your knees don't go past your toes. When your knees travel too far forward, it puts a lot of stress on the joint.

[Boss Man]

You could be advised with Squatting, to use a 10-2 position, as that might take some emphasis away from the Knees.

[DianaB]

I have the same trouble with knees. I can tell you that it has gotten better over time. I was told that most knee pain (unrelated to injury) is caused by weakness in the ankles and hips. Stabilization exercises have helped alot. Also I was surprised at the beginning of summer when I started cycling again, it really helped knees.
Stick with it, but check with your Dr. if the pain is more than an annoyance.

[FeeFee]

Have you tried things like Glucosamine, Chondritin, MSM, Shark Cartilage, as they can help with things like Joints.

You will get a problem with Thighs, it's a very good area to store Fat.

One thing that might assist things, and I say might, is where you stand on a rubber band, keeping the Legs almost locked.

1. move the right Leg about 40 degrees to the right, then bring it back down.

2. Repeat with the left Leg.

You should look something like this.

|| |\ || /| ||

That might help, but I can't guarantee you any results with thighs doing this.

I'd do it for about 1 minute tops at a time.

No, thigh work out is going fine...I'm getting great results with what Ive been doing so far... concern is the smart in knees, espcially after I do squats.
Ive heard MSM mentioned before, I'll chec that out...thanks BM.

[FeeFee]

You could be advised with Squatting, to use a 10-2 position, as that might take some emphasis away from the Knees.

Ok, sounds good. I notice its not as bad when I do wide squats like you mention here....

[FeeFee]

I have the same trouble with knees. I can tell you that it has gotten better over time. I was told that most knee pain (unrelated to injury) is caused by weakness in the ankles and hips. Stabilization exercises have helped alot. Also I was surprised at the beginning of summer when I started cycling again, it really helped knees.
Stick with it, but check with your Dr. if the pain is more than an annoyance.

Thanks Diana. I'll watch it and if it gets worse, I'll certainly see physician. I havent been doing much cycling, so I'm going to pick that up and see how it goes.

[Boss Man]

Re: The signature, is that you, or a vision of how you'd like to be?

[FeeFee]

Re: The signature, is that you, or a vision of how you'd like to be?

Ah Boss Man, if only it were!!
I'd like to get pretty close to that. I dont intend to get a body-builder's figure, but I do want pretty strong thighs and to be defined all over. No big bulging muscles, but I want to look athletic, sort of. I already have a basic athletic build/look even without working out. So if I cant tone and gain muscle, I should get to that goal, hopefully

[jbeach]

If the knee pain isn't excruciating and like DianaB says, it's more an annoyance, just keep at it. As you strengthen your legs, the pain may go away. Make sure your form is good though. In the squat, your *upper* thighs should be parallel with the ground and your weight should be distributed well throughout your foot and mostly on your heels. Try to drive up with your heels, rather than your toes. Good squatting form could help make all the difference. Like Boss Man says too, modifying your foot position could help as well.

[FeeFee]

Thank you jbeach

[swanso5]

your lacking ankle mobility

i'll try to explain what to do....

1st search Hardcore Stretching and do gastroc stretch from there against a wall as well as achilles stretch which i don't thibk is in it but search it anyway then do this...

in barefeet stand in front of a wall, put toes against wall and bend knee down until it touches the wall...do this for both feet x 6 times each and notice the difference from side to side and the difficulty of each...you'll probably find 1 side is a little stiffer than the other...if too easy than drag foot back an inch and go again

hopefully you can follow this bit...

what i want you tro do now is to gewt a belty and wrap it around a very sturdy post, pole or whatever...loop it around your ankle and face away from the pole, post etc...now do the same but really force your knee down and forward against the belt so your trying to pull the bely away from the post...

now go back and place toes in the same spot you had them before in front of the wall and you should have more mobility there

do this as part of your warm up everytime your about to train legs

let me know how you go

[2bfitntexas]

Ortho told me that Glugosamine is not Medically confirmed that it works.
I searched at its true.

right knee has a problem call meniscal tear happened like 2 weeks after I started working out and it hurts. I need to have a scope insert and have it fixed.

So need to get it done asap or it can get worse.

[DianaB]

2bfit, man that sucks! I hope it gets better with the scope. I guess it depends on the person when using glucosimine, mom in law swears by it to soothe her joint pain. Omega3 is also supposed to help and many people claim that it has helped them. But obviously in your case, more drastic measures are needed.
good luck!
diana