Thread: Squats & Deads, freak me out.

I do full squat's (ATG) and have never had any issue's with my knee's. When I did parallel squat's I would get some soreness in my hips and low back, but I think that mostly comes from having kids!... When you do Deads make sure not to Round your back! Keep a bit of an arch and keep the Butt up! A lot of the time it's just mental, think positive!...

Originally Posted by goob

Ok, this is a little silly.

Squats & Deadlifts freak me out. I still do them, but not to the limits of my abillity, i.e I could lift more, and tend to up reps to compensate.

Squats: I don't trust the level of load placed on my knees. My form is fine, i've had experienced guys at the gym evaluate it, but I don't trust the load level on my knees.

Deads: It's more the back that I'm not sure about on this. I have'nt got to the point where, i've injured myself, but it seems a little risky. One of the reasons I will not go anywhere near good mornings.

Perhaps, i just need someone to alay fears.

Has anyone had any injuries in relation to these lifts, particuarly knees on squats?????

I never had trouble with squats but used to dread dead lifts, then slowly i started with the rack pull worked on the form and then moved to dead lifts with moderate weights and worked more on the form, now i am comfortable adding pounds to the lift. Just take it slowly and like the other member said, think POSITIVE.

I am new to deads as well so I'll be watching this thread.

It is good to fear the weight IMO. Maybe fear isn't the right word, but respect.

It is better being apprehensive to these lifts rather than going gung-ho. If you form is good, then increase weight slowly over time. Confidence will build. Make sure you are concious of your form. Also, make sure you are flexible enough for the lifts, I've noticed alot of people lack hip and ankle mobility for these lifts, including myself, but I have worked on that.

I did get some sort of knee tendonitis from squats and like movements. What I did was do a more extensive knee warm up, dynamic stretching, foam rolling, and some hip stretchs, and now - no more pain. I have another issue going on from that sprouted from doing heavy platform deadlifts without the proper flexability, but that is another story.

And I did get injured once doing deadlifts, but it was completely due to malform. I started the pull with the bar very far away from my shins, I think I rounded my back, and along with the extra torque, I really strained my back. I was back in a week though. This was around when I first started doing them.

Remember - Form form form!!!

i love them..never had an injury yet . if you don't feel safe then just use belt, knee wraps, and have a spotter . but i don't use anything. i workout Nude

PUSSY.

Anyway. with the squats My knees kill everytime I squat. it feels lik I am getting my knees hit with a bat.

You can always start by building up you strength with these movements first and work on your flexibility. Squats and deadlifts are great movements when done with perfect form but there are also a lot of other movements that you can do too.

Suitcase squats
DB front squats
DB Lunges
DB step ups
Split squats
Bulgarian squats
Pistols
Sled drag
Farmer walks
One-legged RDL's
Glute- ham raise
standing leg curls

Do single leg variations (too).

If you have a trap bar, use it. Sumo's are easy on the back too, but they're harder on the hips.

Front squats are better on the back and place a lesser load on your knees (because you lift less).

Originally Posted by Witchblade

Do single leg variations (too).

If you have a trap bar, use it. Sumo's are easy on the back too, but they're harder on the hips.

Front squats are better on the back and place a lesser load on your knees (because you lift less).

Ok, thanks for the replies folks.

I pay a lot of attention to form on these lifts. I guess after reading all your comments, I've no excuse not to really push it. As it was i was only going to around 60-70% of lift potential. I have old sports injuries to my back and one of my knees which flare up occasionally, so i guess a little caution was required.

Billie/the7zen: Positive attitude, right on.

Fufu: Good advise, will especially pay attention to form on these.

Bakerboy: Nice one on the list, will print that and keep it to add to the armory.

Witch: I like sumo's, I go as heavy as i can with them. A great exersice.
Front DB squats are tough too.

Danny: Call me a pussy again, and your knees will be getting hit by a bat.

Kinkery: Err....Nude deadlifting....err....For real?????

Originally Posted by goob

Kinkery: Err....Nude deadlifting....err....For real?????

I was just kidding. what i meant by nude was no belt, wraps, or anything. imagine if you really did workout nude, the bar would rub ur nuts

Originally Posted by danny81

PUSSY.

Anyway. with the squats My knees kill everytime I squat. it feels lik I am getting my knees hit with a bat.

I have had no knee problems from squatting, but I have hurt my back numerous times doing deadlifts. Since I switched to sumo style dead lifts, I have had no injuries, and I am pulling more weight.

I have never hurt myself. I have seen it happen though. If you aren't hyper-aggressive with your increases in loading and make sure your form is good, then you will probably be fine.

Oh yeah did squats on tuesday and my quads and down right pissed off with me today. Its the kind of sore that lets you know you hit it good!!

Originally Posted by kinkery

i love them..never had an injury yet . if you don't feel safe then just use belt, knee wraps, and have a spotter . but i don't use anything. i workout Nude

LLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

JK about the pussy thing. but you must really do squats. They are probably the best excercise. it releses so much testoserone so you grow like crazy.

i just started doin deads even though ive been workin out for a long time. i was always worried that i would fuck up the form and hurt myself but i'm good now. as long as you got the right form you'll be alright.

I like squats, I havent done any deads in awhile. but they are good too

I love squats
I get amazing defenition from them

Originally Posted by DontStop

I love squats
I get amazing defenition from them

no you dont!

what are you? 10?

Originally Posted by DontStop

what are you? 10?

yes.

squats will only make your muscles grow. definition depends upon the amount of fat on the muscle which is due to diet.

Well, lets just say that if i didnt do squats.
my defenition would suckkkkk

Originally Posted by DontStop

Well, lets just say that if i didnt do squats.
my defenition would suckkkkk

From where I'm standing your definition looks F-I-N-E..

Originally Posted by kinkery

i love them..never had an injury yet . if you don't feel safe then just use belt, knee wraps, and have a spotter . but i don't use anything.

That's horrible advice, if your back isn't in good enough condition to squat you shouldn't just throw a belt on, you should get your mobility and back strength to the point that you can... Also, knee wraps do not protect your knees, they do the opposite. Knee wraps are use for performance not safety.

Originally Posted by goob

From where I'm standing your definition looks F-I-N-E..

Fire and shadow??

Originally Posted by Seanp156

That's horrible advice, if your back isn't in good enough condition to squat you shouldn't just throw a belt on, you should get your mobility and back strength to the point that you can... Also, knee wraps do not protect your knees, they do the opposite. Knee wraps are use for performance not safety.

He speaks the truths.

Originally Posted by Seanp156

That's horrible advice, if your back isn't in good enough condition to squat you shouldn't just throw a belt on, you should get your mobility and back strength to the point that you can... Also, knee wraps do not protect your knees, they do the opposite. Knee wraps are use for performance not safety.

I almost considered some sort of 'knee support'. Now i definately won't. Nice one on the heads up on that.

Tried squats and deads in sumo stance the other day: much preffered this, especially on the deads. Still could'nt go ultra heavy, but the reason for this is that i'm still injured from falling down stairs drunk 5 weeks ago, and my knee and thigh is not back to full health yet. But because of the advise on this thread, I will start to push it. At present, squats will be once a week, does this sound right to you folks - As part of a push/pull/legs split.