knees cracking

[tigerstile]

sup fellas.
i had a problem with my knees cracking. everytime i bend my knees or squat to sit down my knees crack very loudly. its sorta disgusting because it cracks so loud. but thing is, other than it making a loud noise - it doesnt really bother me. but i recently decided to start working out my scrawny legs with standing calf raises and ankle weights (got the advice from this board). but im worried that i will have some artheritis or some kind of uncomfortableness in my knees if i do this. does anyone have any experience or advice on this?

 

[BUSTINOUT]

My knees have been through heck. They make a ton of racket. For the most part they don't give me much trouble. Some days hurt more than others though. I seriously doubt a light workout like calf raises or ankle weights is going to cause any problems. I have to make more effort to warm my legs up good these days though.

 

[tigerstile]

well, for the calf raises, i wanted to bulk up my calves so i was going to high weight and very low reps. i'm guessing this would put some strain on my legs but dont know how it would effect my knees. if you dont mind me askin bustinout - how old are you? because i am 22 yrs old and dont want to be 40 years old with bad knees that i cant even run. and what are some good warm ups you would reccommend before a heavy set of calf raises?
thanks.

 

[BUSTINOUT]

I'm 37 years old and have been lifting since I was 15 with a few layoffs over the years. Most of my knee issues have come through other sports and not lifting. I have never had issues with my knees from lifting. Seriously man, you are not going to have knee issues from calf raises. Can I ask if you have scrawny legs, why you are only working on bulking up your calves? There are several exercises you can do sensibly without worrying about your knees...especially at 22 years old. Leg work however is some of the most demanding, so many people are just not up to the task.

 

[DeadBolt]

I use to have major knees problems before I started working out. Little by little I used light weights and watched what I did for a few months to strengthen them up a bit.

Now after 3 months of low weight I am starting to go heavier to try and bulk them up. But I must say the one thing that has helped them out the most is squats. I thought they would hurt alot by doing them but only after a month of doing them I noticed much more strength and stability in my knees and have been able to put up nearly twice the amount of weight I could when I first started on ALL of my leg exercises.

You should do some all around exercises rather than just calves and ankle weights. Go slow and light at first to see what works then gradually increase the weight. Also one quick question, do you walk on alot of hardwood floor? I have all hardwood floors and noticed when I walk on em barefoot or with thin socks on my knees would crack like crazy and hurt like a mother. Just wondering if it could be the same for you.