Anonymous
Post 01/14/2014 08:44     Subject: Re:Knee pain when doing squats
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Sounds like it's the patella tendon or referred to as "jumper's knee" resulting from a leg imbalance. Is your knees caving in on the descent, if so try "knees out." Your calves or IT band might be tight on that side as well.

If the pain persists lay off the back squats for 2 weeks and try doing goblet squats with dumbells or kettlebells.

Going below parallel shouldn't be a factor, there are many benefits of squating deep or ass to grass (ATG)


OP here. thanks for this advice.

I don't think my knees are caving in, but it is definitely something i need to pay attention to next time.

After I felt pain the other day I finished the rest of my workout, minus the squats. Then I did a few goblet squats with a 25lb KB to test if it was squats in general or just abck squats, and it hurt a little, likely because I already causes so much pain whan i did the few back squats I did, but still did not hurt nearly as bad as it did with back squats.


I've been back squatting for years (going below parallel ) and have had issues with leg imbalance but I've been able to work around it. I don't know what it is exactly but the force of the motion of back squat puts lots of strain on the weaker leg going deep. The other knee is fine and absolutely pain free. Same here if I substitute back squats for goblets or Bulgarian SS it doesn't cause as much pain when it does act up.

Yeah see if your knee isn't caving in, they call the condition "Valgus" which is really common. If it's not, see if hip flexors and surrounding muscles are not tight which will put stress on the knees. Use a foam roller and do strengthening exercises. My main culprit is the pesky psoas muscle on the weaker leg. So if you don't have any history of knee problems (which it doesn't sound like) I think you can work around it, and maybe get an assessment with a sports physical therapist. Or better yet, get a PT who is licensed in FMS screening which is basically a range of motion screening for the entire body. Good luck!


Thank you so much for this advice. I will definitely work on foam rolling and making sure nothing is tight. I have never had knee issues before.

This issue started early last year when I started a weight training program, but only hurt when I did back squats. I did a few months of Crossfit and had pain here and there but nothing too bad and the crossfit workouts actually seemed to help. If I took time off it would hurt when I came back, but feel fine after a few workouts. I even managed to test my 1RM without any pain. Then I stopped CF a few months ago and recently started lifting again, but immediately felt this terrible pain with the back squat.

Your form is probably pretty solid if you did crossfit but there might be other things you can try to alleviate the knee pain. Why don't you email me and we can talk further. simontpark@gmail.com
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2014 08:05     Subject: Re:Knee pain when doing squats
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Sounds like it's the patella tendon or referred to as "jumper's knee" resulting from a leg imbalance. Is your knees caving in on the descent, if so try "knees out." Your calves or IT band might be tight on that side as well.

If the pain persists lay off the back squats for 2 weeks and try doing goblet squats with dumbells or kettlebells.

Going below parallel shouldn't be a factor, there are many benefits of squating deep or ass to grass (ATG)


OP here. thanks for this advice.

I don't think my knees are caving in, but it is definitely something i need to pay attention to next time.

After I felt pain the other day I finished the rest of my workout, minus the squats. Then I did a few goblet squats with a 25lb KB to test if it was squats in general or just abck squats, and it hurt a little, likely because I already causes so much pain whan i did the few back squats I did, but still did not hurt nearly as bad as it did with back squats.


I've been back squatting for years (going below parallel ) and have had issues with leg imbalance but I've been able to work around it. I don't know what it is exactly but the force of the motion of back squat puts lots of strain on the weaker leg going deep. The other knee is fine and absolutely pain free. Same here if I substitute back squats for goblets or Bulgarian SS it doesn't cause as much pain when it does act up.

Yeah see if your knee isn't caving in, they call the condition "Valgus" which is really common. If it's not, see if hip flexors and surrounding muscles are not tight which will put stress on the knees. Use a foam roller and do strengthening exercises. My main culprit is the pesky psoas muscle on the weaker leg. So if you don't have any history of knee problems (which it doesn't sound like) I think you can work around it, and maybe get an assessment with a sports physical therapist. Or better yet, get a PT who is licensed in FMS screening which is basically a range of motion screening for the entire body. Good luck!


Thank you so much for this advice. I will definitely work on foam rolling and making sure nothing is tight. I have never had knee issues before.

This issue started early last year when I started a weight training program, but only hurt when I did back squats. I did a few months of Crossfit and had pain here and there but nothing too bad and the crossfit workouts actually seemed to help. If I took time off it would hurt when I came back, but feel fine after a few workouts. I even managed to test my 1RM without any pain. Then I stopped CF a few months ago and recently started lifting again, but immediately felt this terrible pain with the back squat.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2014 17:57     Subject: Knee pain when doing squats
It sounds to me like a ligament strain/muscle tear.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2014 17:40     Subject: Re:Knee pain when doing squats
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Sounds like it's the patella tendon or referred to as "jumper's knee" resulting from a leg imbalance. Is your knees caving in on the descent, if so try "knees out." Your calves or IT band might be tight on that side as well.

If the pain persists lay off the back squats for 2 weeks and try doing goblet squats with dumbells or kettlebells.

Going below parallel shouldn't be a factor, there are many benefits of squating deep or ass to grass (ATG)


OP here. thanks for this advice.

I don't think my knees are caving in, but it is definitely something i need to pay attention to next time.

After I felt pain the other day I finished the rest of my workout, minus the squats. Then I did a few goblet squats with a 25lb KB to test if it was squats in general or just abck squats, and it hurt a little, likely because I already causes so much pain whan i did the few back squats I did, but still did not hurt nearly as bad as it did with back squats.


I've been back squatting for years (going below parallel ) and have had issues with leg imbalance but I've been able to work around it. I don't know what it is exactly but the force of the motion of back squat puts lots of strain on the weaker leg going deep. The other knee is fine and absolutely pain free. Same here if I substitute back squats for goblets or Bulgarian SS it doesn't cause as much pain when it does act up.

Yeah see if your knee isn't caving in, they call the condition "Valgus" which is really common. If it's not, see if hip flexors and surrounding muscles are not tight which will put stress on the knees. Use a foam roller and do strengthening exercises. My main culprit is the pesky psoas muscle on the weaker leg. So if you don't have any history of knee problems (which it doesn't sound like) I think you can work around it, and maybe get an assessment with a sports physical therapist. Or better yet, get a PT who is licensed in FMS screening which is basically a range of motion screening for the entire body. Good luck!
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2014 15:06     Subject: Re:Knee pain when doing squats
Anonymous wrote:Sounds like it's the patella tendon or referred to as "jumper's knee" resulting from a leg imbalance. Is your knees caving in on the descent, if so try "knees out." Your calves or IT band might be tight on that side as well.

If the pain persists lay off the back squats for 2 weeks and try doing goblet squats with dumbells or kettlebells.

Going below parallel shouldn't be a factor, there are many benefits of squating deep or ass to grass (ATG)


OP here. thanks for this advice.

I don't think my knees are caving in, but it is definitely something i need to pay attention to next time.

After I felt pain the other day I finished the rest of my workout, minus the squats. Then I did a few goblet squats with a 25lb KB to test if it was squats in general or just abck squats, and it hurt a little, likely because I already causes so much pain whan i did the few back squats I did, but still did not hurt nearly as bad as it did with back squats.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2014 15:02     Subject: Knee pain when doing squats
Anonymous wrote:you are old and not strong enough to do that weight yet. take a few steps back and work on yoru range of motion, ice after.

allthe doctor will say is if it hurts stop doing it or rest.

you cna also do leg presses, leg extentions, leg curls and lunges.


I am not that old and a month or two ago I tested my 1 rep max for back squat to be 140lbs so the weight really isn't that heavy for me. (was doing crossfit for a few months and during that time my knee pain seemed ok and mild, but I also never really did straight sets of back squats. The day we did 1RM for back squat my knee did not bother me.

It could definitely be a muscle tightness issue.

I have been doing every other leg exercise, minus squats.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2014 14:24     Subject: Knee pain when doing squats
you are old and not strong enough to do that weight yet. take a few steps back and work on yoru range of motion, ice after.

allthe doctor will say is if it hurts stop doing it or rest.

you cna also do leg presses, leg extentions, leg curls and lunges.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2014 14:19     Subject: Re:Knee pain when doing squats
Sounds like it's the patella tendon or referred to as "jumper's knee" resulting from a leg imbalance. Is your knees caving in on the descent, if so try "knees out." Your calves or IT band might be tight on that side as well.

If the pain persists lay off the back squats for 2 weeks and try doing goblet squats with dumbells or kettlebells.

Going below parallel shouldn't be a factor, there are many benefits of squating deep or ass to grass (ATG)
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2014 13:54     Subject: Knee pain when doing squats
OP here.

i do go below parallel.

I do a few warm-up sets. First bodyweight then with just the bar (45lbs) and that was fine. it was adding just a little more weight that caused the pain. it is just weird because it does not hurt doing anything else. But when it hurts it really hurts and is not a pain i can push through.

Time to get it looked at.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2014 13:00     Subject: Knee pain when doing squats
are you going past 90 degrees? If so, stop at or before 90 degrees.

And start with a lower weight and see if that helps. Going from 0 (body only) to 55-65 pounds is a pretty big leap. My recollection is that you shouldn't add more than 10%. So if you weigh 150 lbs, start with a total of 15 lbs, including the bar weight.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2014 12:42     Subject: Knee pain when doing squats
Definitely get it checked out. In the meanwhile, I would try them with a hex bar.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2014 12:39     Subject: Knee pain when doing squats
I'm going to second your assessment that you should just go get this looked at. I hurt myself with bad squatting form and had to do a bunch of PT to fix myself afterwards. This doesn't sound like your problem, but women are more prone to knee issues and, for lack of a more official way to put it, wonky unbalanced muscle development on either side of the knee.

I'd recommend a sports-minded ortho.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2014 12:01     Subject: Knee pain when doing squats
I get pain as well in my knees from doing squats. I don't think it's a good exercise for knees so I try not to do them anymore. I loved the way squats made my legs look though!
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2014 11:52     Subject: Knee pain when doing squats
When I do backs squats with weight i get really bad pain in my left knee. The pain is in the uppper inside portion. My knee will be fine when i do bodyweight sqats but the second i add some weigth, nothing crazy just 55-65 lbs, i get very intense pain and have to stop. I have worked with trainers in the past and I have always been told that i have very good squat form so I don't understnad why this has been happening a lot over the past year when I try to increase my squat weight.

It does not bother me when I do any other exercises-run, leg extentions, lunges- just back quats with weight. It feels better ones i move around, but will be sore for a day after I try to squat.

any ideas? I know I should probably get it looked at.