Squats - knee injury

[Aaron]

Okay, so my roomate is telling me that doing squats will hurt your knee's. I am pretty sure they don't if done correctly.

I googled it and found some sites claiming otherwise, but he doesn't trust those sources.

Anyone have any legit sources on the subject?

[southpaw447]

I swear 85% of people that I see in the gym can't even do a proper squat. It's not hard believe, that other people believe, that Squatting does more harm than good because they can't fucking do it right in the first place. The only way you are going to hurt your knees is

A) Allowing your knees to go past your toes
B) Using too much weight
C) Wrong Foot Positioning and Stance
D) A Combination of all three.

So yeah squatting doesn't hurt your knees at all, people just simply don't know how to do the exercises.

---------- Post added at 07:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:27 PM ----------

I've hear other people say similar things about deadlifts. One guy told me I should be careful deadlifting or I'd snap my spine.

People are just dumb.

[Think Green]

By Mark Rippetoe – He has 28 years experience in the fitness industry and 10 years experience as a competitive powerlifter. He has been certified as an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist since 1985 and is a USA Weightlifting Level III Coach and Senior Coach, as well as a USA Track and Field Level I Coach.

Anyone who says that full squats are “bad for the knees” has, with that statement, demonstrated conclusively that they are not entitled to an opinion about the matter.

People who know nothing about a topic, especially a very technical one that requires specific training, knowledge, and experience, are not due an opinion about that topic and are better served by being quiet when it is asked about or discussed. For example, when brain surgery, or string theory, or the NFL draft, or women’s dress sizes, or white wine is being discussed, I remain quiet, odd though that may seem.

But seldom is this the case when orthopaedic surgeons, athletic trainers, physical therapists, or nurses are asked about full squats. Most such people have absolutely no idea what a full squat even is, and they certainly have no concept of how it affects the knees, unless they have had additional training beyond their specialties, which for the professions mentioned does not include full squats. Because if these people knew anything about squatting, and the difference between a full squat and any other kind of squat and what they do to the knees, they would know that “full squats are bad for the knees” is wrong and thus would not be making such a ridiculous statement.

….

Now, this is not to say that doctors, PTs, and nurses haven’t been exposed to knee anatomy. They have, but they have not, as a rule, been exposed to correct squatting, and thus they have no idea how the movement is related to knee anatomy. The fact is that the knee and hip anatomy actually dictate correct squatting technique. Smart as these people are, you’d think that they could figure this out, and thus derive correct technique, the way we ignorant, uneducated lifters have. But I guess you’d be wrong if you thought that.

Your friend is an idiot.

[*TN*]

A) Allowing your knees to go past your toes



Just saw this, I don't agree with this at all.

My knees only don't go past my toes on low bar squats. It's physically impossible for me to get proper depth on FS or high bar back squat with out that happening.

I don't even understand the knees over toes rule, I don't get why it is supposed to be bad, and have never read studies showing it to be.


Also, I suggest you punch your roommate in the throat for being an ignorant pussy Aaron.

/Thread necromancy

[Bas]

lol at TNs post...

but yeah, i find it extremely difficult to keep my knees completely behind my toes as well. damn long legs...

[southpaw447]

Well maybe it is impossible for you. But that's what I was told and that's how I continue to squat

But more or less, I was talking about these people who squat forward rather than sitting back. I wish I could explain it better in words but I can't.

[Bas]

yeah, you mean the people who look like theyre about to fly into the mirror? makes me cringe all the time.

[southpaw447]

yeah, you mean the people who look like theyre about to fly into the mirror? makes me cringe all the time.

Yes, exactly and their heels come up off the ground.

Gah. Makes me rage