leg/knee qution

[mpotok]

a few months ago I started to do a more proper leg routin from reading post on this forum. Just recently I started to cycles workouts after I felt like I had a solid base workout going for a few weeks. Two weeks ago I did a heavy leg day. I have a smith setup in basement.. and yes I do squats on it. I know I know I know hopw you all feel about that. I have a hard time doing squats on my own without it. I lose my balance freqqenly after every squat and almsot fall over. Even without the bar it is hard for me to do. I was told it had something to do with my calf muscles or my leg tendons. I havnt figured it out yet. I even worked with people on my squat and they said I had the proper form, but every time on way up I fall backward with or and sometimes without. Same problem on lunges, and most movements where I move up and down. That is the concern, but if want to adress it adress it.. would liek input on that. Anyways, I was squatin gon my smith machine and had a good workout that day. Within 5 days or so I had a tingleing sensation on the uper inside portion of both knees when I woke up that morning. Everymorning since when I take my first step I get it back. I did a light leg day the following week and no pain and evryhtign went fine, but I still got that tingleing sensation. I got it yesterday while doing hiit in mid workout as well. It doesnt hurt, but feels wierd. Could it be a nerve or somehtign to do with a tendon or muscle becuase of smith squats. Thx

 

[Arnold]

interesting, not sure.

doing squats on a smith machine restricts your movement to a very unnatural vertical path, it could be putting extra strain on your knees.

have you tried doing free weight barbell squats with something under your heels, like 5 pound plates? this might help your balance.

 

[mpotok]

ok my friend does competitions he said he thinks I have a tight achellies tendon and need to stretch. Which I cant say he is wrrong becuase I use to have alot of soreness and tightness on and arouind my calf. When I do squats on my tippy toes I dont lose my balance as much... but I cant support the weight. I found it not effectinve, but I usally end up curling my toes or going up a little to grab balance. Smith is only way I can squat with balance. I been practicing squating without weights and since I started a more proper leg routine coordination has come. I use to never squate becuase of balance reasons. I will try that tomarrow it is leg day again. I was just more worried about the tingleing sensation on the upper inner knee.
Thx prince for the reply if add anymore would be great if somehtign comes up.

 

[Mudge]

A shearing stress is placed on the knee with smith squats, like an ultra-heavy leg extention.

 

[mpotok]

ya I compeltly understand that.... was jsut curious if that was a normal squat issue or a smith machine squat issue.. that is all.. i always had problems with squats and never untill recently kept doing them for more then a few weeks.. been doing them on smith now for about 2 months.. longest ever.. I use to just do leg press w/o squats at gym and only go to the university gym on leg days.. now my leg routine is way better then before and I have seen and feel the results better with strength and fatigue levels.

 

[ALBOB]

I'm not gonna comment on the Smith Squats but rather your inability to do freeweight squats due to lack of balance. Have you ever tried Front Squats? They're GREAT for targeting the quads and are much easier to balance than regular, behind the neck squats.

 

[mpotok]

i have not tried them. I seen them done, read how to do them, and saw animations of how, but I have not yet tried nor am I sure of proper technique. I do 100000% agree with you on smith squates after doing them for 2 months. I now understand Y not to do them. I been trying free weight hack squats, but I always seem to nail my calfs with the bar. Tonight is leg night for me. I am going to try to put weights under my feet and see how that works and possibly do them shoeless. I have not yet dared to do that. I might also even attempt to try dumbell squats, but that can be a real nuscence in a home gym with screw weights. Probly take me longer to find right weight to work with and/or screw them all on. I think I am also going to take a ego hit and go really really really light weight this week and just practice and test my balance again. Like I said I have trouble with balance on deadlifts, lunges, and squats. I do not have trouble with SLDL though. I can get up high in weight and keep balance with little to no trouble. The rest I have toruble with. I am starting to think that meybe the people that showed me how and wathed me do them did not really even look at technique although I have had coordination problems in the past as a young kid... lol.. I am a chemical engineer now but they thought I was retarded untill I was like 8 or 9. poor me. hahah. Balance has always been a problem for me and I always had to work on it in most sports I have ever played.
Thx for the replies!!