Protecting the Knees

[norther practitioner]

It's not the tendons, it's the muscles around the knee you want to worry about. quads, hammies, OK, lets just say total leg strength.

[IronFist]

Are your knees in good shape now? Barbell squats. Not smith-machine squats, not leg presses, but barbell squats. Have someone who knows how to do them teach you how. With the exception of the Olympic lifts, barbell squat is the most technically difficult lift there is so you want to make sure you're doing it right.

[Vash]

http://www.mercola.com/2004/jul/31/fear_the_squat2.htm

http://jumpusa.com/jumpersknees.htm

As an aside, I prefer the front and Zercher squats to back squats . . . mainly since I can't back squat anymore . . .

[IronFist]

Just don't do smith machine squats or leg presses. Curved back + leg pressing = injury (potentially), and at the least reinforces poor muscle movement.

If you're going to leg press, make sure your back is arched, or at least straight.

[Ford Prefect]

Deep squats will help. As will knee-extensions... I know I know. isolation is generally bad. Knee extension help strengthen the musculature around the knee though which takes load off connective tissue. There's a reason why most PT's have clients do them... Look into body flow as well. I hate Sonnon's advertising and most of his products, but this is one of his gems.

[Chief Fox]

Also, don't forget to stretch your quads and hamstrings. Tight im-balanced muscles can put a lot of pressure on the joint.

[red5angel]

ok, so squats and stretching, no problem, I can do that. Actually I've been doing squats for some time now so I'll just stick with it and not worry about it, thanks guys!

[Joe1363]

Hello everyone. Recently (as in the past month or so) my left knee has been feeling weak and becomes tired more easily. This doesn't seem to come from my martial arts training, but oddly enough from being a musician playing the vibraphone were I am standing on one leg for long periods of time. It doesn't really hurt, but I don't want it to get any worse. Sometimes I also feel something at the hip joint to a lesser extent. Is there anything I can do to treat this or strengthen my knee? Thank you for your suggestions and input.

[dougadam]

I also had knee problems. And a man who spent most of his life in prison working out. Gave me some advice.

" High rep squats with no weight. "

It worked

[Royal Dragon]

Hold horse stance too.

[B-Rad]

See a doctor (if you can afford it). Taking medical advice from strangers on an internet forum who aren't doctors and have no idea what's really wrong with you is generally a bad idea

[Joe1363]

Yeah, I know asking strangers on the internet isn't exactly the best, but people with martial arts experience might know some things that are helpful. I've also asked my Sifu and a few other people, so I'm not just going from this.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[kwaichang]

Studies have shown there is a corelation of Low Back pain and hip knee problems. Look it up , google it . Or see a Md and have him or her look at your knee and back KC

[GunnedDownAtrocity]

I also had knee problems. And a man who spent most of his life in prison working out. Gave me some advice.

" High rep squats with no weight. "

It worked

these have value and will do much to keep the joint lubed up, but id do weighted full squats along with a few other full body exercise as well. doesnt have to be anything fancy .... squats, deadlifts, overhead presses, and throw in some chins, dips, and weighted ab work for good measure.

i think the general concensus is, if something hurts, make it stronger.

[sanjuro_ronin]

Hello everyone. Recently (as in the past month or so) my left knee has been feeling weak and becomes tired more easily. This doesn't seem to come from my martial arts training, but oddly enough from being a musician playing the vibraphone were I am standing on one leg for long periods of time. It doesn't really hurt, but I don't want it to get any worse. Sometimes I also feel something at the hip joint to a lesser extent. Is there anything I can do to treat this or strengthen my knee? Thank you for your suggestions and input.

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