Thread: I don't knees no hack squats...

I get knee pains on the hack machine, but it only seems to occur when i lock out, so i just keep constant tension on the muscle. Prolly better actually, but it means there's no possible rest reps for rob.

Have you tried adjusting your footing?

Try monitoring your foot position.

Also make sure that your heels are staying flat on the platform. If you rise up on your toes, you can stress the knees.

I find the same thing if I don't do a good warm up on it, same goes for the extensions.
My second set always feels better.

Scotty, yeah I did a pretty weak warm up before I began... could be it. Thanks.

CaptainDeadlift, hmmm I didn't examine if my heels were staying down, but I think they were... maybe... errr... better go check, thanks.

Mudge, that is the variable I have been adjusting, but nothing seems to work on that... knees feel like a walnut between a nutcracker no matter what position my feet are in, thanks though.

TCD, yeah, I do lock out at the top... I bet that's the problem, I'll try it without locking out on Friday and I don't think I'll have a problem remembering to breathe! Thanks.

So I'll not lock out, make sure my heels are down, and warm up better. Thanks for all the great suggestions dudes!

Hack Squats produce excessive shearing forces on the knee joint. I really advise that you not do them if you have bad knees. Foot placement I don't think will really help due to the way a hack machine is designed. I'd stick with regular squats or leg presses.

Thanks for the advice Monster. Yeah, I never had trouble with my knees until hack squats. No worries, just 1 more week of the shearing forces on my knees and then back to the normal routine of squat rack mania. Just trying something different.

I'm in the same boat...I have bad knees too (no mcl or acl in left knee). and I recently added hacks in place of leg presses to my routine about 2 weeks ago for a different feel. I have to watch it closely and be sure to maintain my groove. So far I haven't had any discomfort in the knees...just the quads, I got a serious case of delayed onset soreness...

I don't take my own advice, I just noticed...haha

LOL, yeah I just wanted to mix it up a bit. Normal squats were getting kind of stale and I thought the hack squats would be an interesting change. I get the same onset soreness now on the hack squats too. My quads are usually pretty tight and sore come the next two days. Damn it feels great!

Yeah I love it...except for when nature calls you to your throne