Thread: Knee wraps to add weight?

Originally Posted by ALBOB

Okay, I've been at a bit of a plateau with my squats. I'm thinking of using knee wraps to help me break through since I've used them before and know I'll be able to lift more weight with them. My question is, would I really be lifting the extra weight or would it be the knee wraps doing it?

Well it is pretty obvious the knee wraps contribute as the primary factor to lift the extra weight.

However, the load is still placed throughout the spine and hips unaided, so by using the knee wraps are you are overloading the spine and hips through the squat movement.

In short, it using the wraps to lift extra weight could help you get over a plateau by overloading the body. Conversely, the body works are a unit and when the wraps come off, the overload stimulus may not matter because the benefit of the wraps is gone.

It may work to help you oust the plateau, but I think there are better ways to do that.

Originally Posted by fufu

Well it is pretty obvious the knee wraps contribute as the primary factor to lift the extra weight.

However, the load is still placed throughout the spine and hips unaided, so by using the knee wraps are you are overloading the spine and hips through the squat movement.

In short, it using the wraps to lift extra weight could help you get over a plateau by overloading the body. Conversely, the body works are a unit and when the wraps come off, the overload stimulus may not matter because the benefit of the wraps is gone.

It may work to help you oust the plateau, but I think there are better ways to do that.

Goddamnit, I know that what's really happening but you're not supposed to SAY it. You're supposed to lie to me. Say, "Yeah ALBOB, that's a great plan. Go in there and wrap them knees up tight and lift a ton!"

Actually, I did know that but didn't want to admit it to myself. I think I'm gonna go ahead and use them this Saturday for the psychological advantage.

After looking at my response I realize I should have inserted . I was just messing with you fufu.

lol, well I am never surprised by the type of questions that come around here in the training forum.

Originally Posted by fufu

lol, well I am never surprised by the type of questions that come around here in the training forum.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot to ask, am I overtraining?

Originally Posted by ALBOB

Oh yeah, I almost forgot to ask, am I overtraining?

If your geriatric arse is IN THE GYM.....you're overtraining.

I was thinking about using knee wraps as a precautionary step when getting back into squats...now I'm not so sure.

THANKS A LOT GUYS!

Okay, I'll be serious for a moment. I don't really like them. I own them and have used them but, that is/was because I got stupid with squats once and tore my Patellar tendon. The knee wraps were the only way I could do squats before I finally broke down and got the damn thing fixed.

I think they give a false sense of security. I also think that any extra weight you can lift with the wraps is 100% because of their spring like affect and NOT because of any increase in quad strength.

The only reason I started this thread was to try and talk myself into using them so I could post bigger numbers in my journal. 100% ego, nothing more.

Keep your back straight, press with your heels, do every rep sloooooooow and controlled. You won't need the wraps. (I do use a belt to protect my back @225+ but, that's because I'm a coward.)

My reasoning was, due to the fact that I haven't done squats in...Oh, years...I was concerned that I might not maintain proper form and injure my knees right out of the gate. I really need to get away from the leg press as my main leg excercise.
As far as my back is concerned, I am pleased to announce that I can now buckle my weight belt again, and may wear it as needed....even though I really don't like to.

Originally Posted by DaMayor

My reasoning was, due to the fact that I haven't done squats in...Oh, years...I was concerned that I might not maintain proper form and injure my knees right out of the gate. I really need to get away from the leg press as my main leg excercise.
As far as my back is concerned, I am pleased to announce that I can now buckle my weight belt again, and may wear it as needed....even though I really don't like to.

You could always start back with the squats very light. If form breaks down, the weight is too heavy, simple as that.

You could also sub in some single leg stuff now and then too.

Originally Posted by DaMayor

My reasoning was, due to the fact that I haven't done squats in...Oh, years...I was concerned that I might not maintain proper form and injure my knees right out of the gate. I really need to get away from the leg press as my main leg excercise.
As far as my back is concerned, I am pleased to announce that I can now buckle my weight belt again, and may wear it as needed....even though I really don't like to.

So you start out doing them at home with no weight. When you get back in the groove and are comfortable that you have the right balance, you go to the gym, load up four or five plates per side and give yourself a coronary.

Originally Posted by ALBOB

So you start out doing them at home with no weight. When you get back in the groove and are comfortable that you have the right balance, you go to the gym, load up four or five plates per side and give yourself a coronary.

At Home? No weight? ...Who am I? Littlewing?

My problem is that I, while I have improved greatly in areas of patience, self control, proper form, and common sense, (well, the first three anyway) inadvertently end up pushing myself (almost) to the brink of injury. I'm still not as strong as I was a while back....my journal shows this....BUT I tend to get into the moment...Y'know, that second or two at the end of the last rep of the last set where focus meets insanity.

The work just doesn't seem the same otherwise.

Originally Posted by ALBOB

Okay, I've been at a bit of a plateau with my squats. I'm thinking of using knee wraps to help me break through since I've used them before and know I'll be able to lift more weight with them. My question is, would I really be lifting the extra weight or would it be the knee wraps doing it?

Using knee wraps to break a plateau makes no sense IMO, the only use I can see for knee wraps is in a powerlifting/strongman competition.

Originally Posted by DaMayor

At Home? No weight? ...Who am I? Littlewing?

If you had the decency to wear a bra, you'd be the same cup size.

Originally Posted by DaMayor

I tend to get into the moment...Y'know, that second or two at the end of the last rep of the last set where focus meets insanity.

Which is EXACTLY how I tore my Patellar tendon. Last heavy set of the day. Come on ALBOB, one more rep. **POP**

Originally Posted by Robert

Using knee wraps to break a plateau makes no sense IMO, the only use I can see for knee wraps is in a powerlifting/strongman competition.

Oh piss off. This is MY thread. Common sense has no business being in here.

Just pick a different type of squat to do every other time. Bulgarian split squats is a good one. If you have never done them you will improve on them. You might even find your back squats improve as well.

Do rack squats.

Set some pins up, put the bar on them, and start the rep from the bottom of the squat. Push it up to a soft lock, squat it back down onto the pins so they take all the weight. The height of the pins should be just below your usual squat depth.

You'll have to take the weight down a bit, but if you build back up to your regular squat poundage on these, when you squat normally again the improvement will be immediately noticeable.

Either do them instead of regular squats, or throw some sets in after your regulars. It helps a tonne.

Originally Posted by Gazhole

Do rack squats.

Set some pins up, put the bar on them, and start the rep from the bottom of the squat. Push it up to a soft lock, squat it back down onto the pins so they take all the weight. The height of the pins should be just below your usual squat depth.

You'll have to take the weight down a bit, but if you build back up to your regular squat poundage on these, when you squat normally again the improvement will be immediately noticeable.

Either do them instead of regular squats, or throw some sets in after your regulars. It helps a tonne.

Now THAT is something I'd forgotten about. I've done them before to great effect. Problem is, my gym doesn't have a power rack. That's okay, I'll just do partials in the bottom of the ROM, that should accomplish the same thing. Thanks for the reminder.

Originally Posted by ALBOB

Now THAT is something I'd forgotten about. I've done them before to great effect. Problem is, my gym doesn't have a power rack. That's okay, I'll just do partials in the bottom of the ROM, that should accomplish the same thing. Thanks for the reminder.

I thought Planet Fitness had racks.

Originally Posted by DaMayor

I thought Planet Fitness had racks.

Theyre stuck to fat middle aged chicks, but yeah they've got them.

Originally Posted by DaMayor

I thought Planet Fitness had racks.

Nice try dickhead. When I started the Andro I also started at a new Gold's about a block from my house. It's a cryin' shame what Gold's has become, poor Joe must be turning over in his grave. But it's still better than any of the other shit places.