Gym/workout question

[Jand3rson]

I'll try to get a little more descriptive. When I do crouch down (forgive the pic, it's the best one I could find) like this:



...I can't stay in that position for more than about 20-30 seconds, before the muscles in the fronts of my thighs start to get incredibly tight and really start to hurt, mainly toward my knees. And when I try to get up, I have to hold on to something to pull myself up. You know that feeling you get when your arm falls asleep from sleeping on it, and you can't lift it up? That's what my knees feel like. And the cracking/popping that my knees make when I do stand up is almost sickening. Being down on my knees is fine (I try to wear kneepads when I can), but it's hard to get up even then, I have to get one foot up (wedding proposal postion), and usually still have to grab something and partially pull myself up.

I don't know if this helps any more in trying to describe what I'm experiencing, but it's the best I can do trying to describe it in text. I wish I could go see a doctor about it, and I plan to, once I've got insurance.

[der affe]

does it feel like your knees are locking up when you try to get up/put stress to them?

[Stephen]

interesting thread. Curious to see what you guys say as im young and my knees hurt from standing around at the LA auto show all day.

carry on

[Jand3rson]

does it feel like your knees are locking up when you try to get up/put stress to them?

No, not really. Just that I don't have the strength in my legs/knees to get back up easily. And this isn't something that comes through when I ride my bike, skate, or snowboard. Crouching and kneeling down are the bane of my existence.

[KenC]

Definitely sounds like you need some dedicated quadriceps strengthening exercises. Check some physical therapy websites, or google how to most effective strengthen them.

[der affe]

i would lean toward a muscle weakness issue then. in certain positions getting up and down seem to put an excessive amount of pressure in my knees (like almost under my knee cap) for a moment when i get up from the position you show in your pic.

try using your gym membership and start out by doing a bunch of long (time wise, at least 20-30 min) but low resistance eliptical or SEATED stationary bike stuff and gradually increase the resistance. after a week or 2 THEN start doing machine stuff. by doing this you will gradually build up stregnth and not have excessive muscle soreness in the begining.

even with my knee problems i can leg press 1230lbs X15 reps from a 45* up. you just need to be smart and not put any extra stress on the joints by going at it from extreme angles. leave that to the kids that don't know any better.

[Danny]

I have a bad left ankle.

I bought a compression brace and when it hurts I put it on, works wonders.

[Justin B]

When I am crouched or knelt down, when I stand back up, my knees sound like someone is stepping on rice krispies, and it hurts.

Mine have been doing the same for years, it sucks =( Nice popping scraping tearing sound.

[scabzzzz]

Ive always had problems with my knees. I actually rode about 15-20 miles on Saturday through the back of the city (lots of hills) on my track bike with my seat adjusted improperly and my knees have been almost inoperable for 2 days now. Severe pain, yuck.

[der affe]

so did you make it to the gym yet?

[emoshun]

After my left ankle was attacked by a slapshot 12 years ago, it cracks and clicks loudly when I walk upstairs.

Try stretching and lunges man, they work wonders!

[808BMW]

Stretch every morning, every day.

Multivitamins are not a replacement for vegetables.

If a professional says nothing is wrong, you can never go wrong with squats. I definitely wouldn't do them if you have something wrong (hence the professional opinion first), and I wouldn't start heavy.
I also wouldn't listen to the 500 people that will tell you squats are bad for your knees. Anything done improperly is bad, good form (ass back like you are sitting on a toilet) is key.

[moatilliatta]

glucosamine.... it works

[bataangpinoy]

janderson, how much dairy products do you consume on average?
you may need to boost your calcium intake in additon to other supplements.

im not sure if youre familiar with dead lifting aka the hexbar, but thats what the lineman coach made me do to build up my legs. its very effective for building strength and stamina. we were also made to run sprints up a hill with a weighted back pack(30 lbs or so) for endurance and speed training.

and as said before, good form can make or literally break you.

the proper way to gain strength is through proper form, with a weight you can handle.

controllable weight+good form+good consistent reps

[Chachi]

After my left ankle was attacked by a slapshot 12 years ago, it cracks and clicks loudly when I walk upstairs.

Try stretching and lunges man, they work wonders!

i know that feeling, hockey has put a lot of stress on my knees. if i play a few days in a row it can be a bit painful going up and down stairs but nothing unbearable. once it swelled up after some cockbag kicked the back of my knee to try to make me trip, but heat and motrin brought it back.

i think i may try that aforementioned supplement, this is all good info. r3v ftw.