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coolcolj
New member
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do;jsessionid=63D45B49624F33BA112A15CD98B27AEF.hydra?id=1127149
looks like a lot of my theories were correct
looks like a lot of my theories were correct
18 tips for bulletproof knees
- Thread starter coolcolj
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Awesome, thanks!coolcolj said:http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do;jsessionid=63D45B49624F33BA112A15CD98B27AEF.hydra?id=1127149
looks like a lot of my theories were correct
Guinness5.0
New member
Good read.
BTW check out the pic of the girl under step ten - wow.
BTW check out the pic of the girl under step ten - wow.
Cynical Simian
New member
Heh, I just got around to reading that article earlier today. Good stuff.
I was thinking about starting a new thread with this question, but I'll ask it here instead: what's the verdict on knee sleeves, which are recommended in the Meso Oly Squatting sticky in addition to this article?
I bought some early this year (winter months) when I was getting some pain in my right knee. But after reading a bunch of squatting articles and tweaking my form a bit (trying not to rely on my right leg as much on maximal sets and push my knees out more) I didn't have any more problems with pain, just slight stiffness after an afternoon/evening of sitting around on the days I squat (early morning workouts). After seeing this article, I decided to put the sleeves on just for kicks and loved the warmth and slight increase in stability.
So I guess a more specific version of my question is this: are thin neoprene knee sleeves "acceptable" lifting gear (a la Oly shoes), or are there drawbacks, such as weak natural knee stability or weakness at the bottom of the squat, that make them more comparable to most PL gear, which is frowned upon for general training?
Wow, that was a lot of rambling...
I was thinking about starting a new thread with this question, but I'll ask it here instead: what's the verdict on knee sleeves, which are recommended in the Meso Oly Squatting sticky in addition to this article?
I bought some early this year (winter months) when I was getting some pain in my right knee. But after reading a bunch of squatting articles and tweaking my form a bit (trying not to rely on my right leg as much on maximal sets and push my knees out more) I didn't have any more problems with pain, just slight stiffness after an afternoon/evening of sitting around on the days I squat (early morning workouts). After seeing this article, I decided to put the sleeves on just for kicks and loved the warmth and slight increase in stability.
So I guess a more specific version of my question is this: are thin neoprene knee sleeves "acceptable" lifting gear (a la Oly shoes), or are there drawbacks, such as weak natural knee stability or weakness at the bottom of the squat, that make them more comparable to most PL gear, which is frowned upon for general training?
Wow, that was a lot of rambling...
mekannik
New member
Cynical Simian said:
Just out of curiosity - do you feel like that counts as cheating?
Same reason I do not wear a belt 98% of the time or use wrist wraps during bench. Not that it does not make the lift safer, but in the back of your mind you are thinking - 'how much is me, how much is the support gear?'.
Cynical Simian
New member
That "cheating" is exactly my concern and the reason that today was the first time I put them on (while sitting here in front of my computer, not while squatting). Sorry if it wasn't clear that I bought sleeves but didn't end up using them for lifting (due to concern about the "drawbacks" mentioned later in the post).mekannik said:
Jim Ouini
New member
coolcolj said:http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do;jsessionid=63D45B49624F33BA112A15CD98B27AEF.hydra?id=1127149
looks like a lot of my theories were correct
Thanks for the link.
Cynical Symian said:
The neoprene sleeves don't really help your lift like knee wraps do, they're just to keep your knee warm, correct? It's not like they provide any significant rebound effect (I don't think)
I wear an elbow sleeve for some occasional elbow pain and I don't consider it cheating.
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mekannik
New member
Jim Ouini said:
I know you addressed Cynical - but I brought up the cheating term. It was not meant as an attack or criticism. Just a question of whether or not you consider it a 'pure' lift if you are wearing some type of assistance gear.
And the way my knees have been feeling lately - wraps, sleeves, permanent polar ice packs are going to be the flavor of the month.
Jim Ouini
New member
None taken, I didn't take it as an attack or criticism at all
I will say that sometimes I feel like it can be a mental crutch, which is one of the reasons I don't wear one anymore (the other being my knee doesn't hurt).
The elbow sleeve, though, just never occurred to me to be in the same category for whatever reason.
Now that we're on the subject, how about wrist wraps when benching
I will say that sometimes I feel like it can be a mental crutch, which is one of the reasons I don't wear one anymore (the other being my knee doesn't hurt).
The elbow sleeve, though, just never occurred to me to be in the same category for whatever reason.
Now that we're on the subject, how about wrist wraps when benching
Cynical Simian
New member
Just giving this a bump for more experiences with/opinions on neoprene sleeves. I know there's no "right" answer to the "cheating" question, I'm just interested in whether people consider them a crutch that should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.
mekannik
New member
HOLY JESUS F'IN THE BLESSED CHRIST ON A POGO STICK!
I have been having some real problems with tendonitis in my knees (just above the knee) and am on prescription anti-inflammatories. Have been working with a trainer on cleaning up my form on squats, cleans, and snatches. This has included a bunch of core stretches and revamping of form to work on flexibility.
BUT - tonite I tried the rectus femoris stretch (point 14) - FORGET ABOUT IT. I no sooner got my rear foot elevated and my other foot in position and I could already feel the stretch in my quad. Once my torso was perpendicular to the floor - JESUS H. - that is a deep, cutting stretch. 30 second holds and I was ready to tap out. Figure the next step is to try and lean back. A little.
Great link from CoolJ. Again.
I have been having some real problems with tendonitis in my knees (just above the knee) and am on prescription anti-inflammatories. Have been working with a trainer on cleaning up my form on squats, cleans, and snatches. This has included a bunch of core stretches and revamping of form to work on flexibility.
BUT - tonite I tried the rectus femoris stretch (point 14) - FORGET ABOUT IT. I no sooner got my rear foot elevated and my other foot in position and I could already feel the stretch in my quad. Once my torso was perpendicular to the floor - JESUS H. - that is a deep, cutting stretch. 30 second holds and I was ready to tap out. Figure the next step is to try and lean back. A little.
Great link from CoolJ. Again.
coolcolj
New member
also do lots of lateral hip swings, once you get good at em and can swing you legs higher on each end you will find your knees feeling better I bet
lot of knee problems start at the hip, strength and flexibility wise, especially the external hip rotor. Hip mobility basicly
see guys, stretching is a must! Especially since strength training tightens you up and builds scar tissue over time
tendonitus usually also means some rest is required, it's just an overuse issue
this stuff is more for the kind of pain you get when loading up the knee, internally etc
lot of knee problems start at the hip, strength and flexibility wise, especially the external hip rotor. Hip mobility basicly
see guys, stretching is a must! Especially since strength training tightens you up and builds scar tissue over time
tendonitus usually also means some rest is required, it's just an overuse issue
this stuff is more for the kind of pain you get when loading up the knee, internally etc
Cynical Simian
New member
lol, sounds my experience when I started doing them again after only doing psoas stretches for my hip flexors for a while.mekannik said:
One piece of advice: get a good foam mat to put under your knee when you're doing hip flexor stretches. Even with a couple of folded-up towels and a carpeted floor, the pressure on the knee during frequent (3x/day) stretches was, I think, if anything contributing to stiffness.
coolcolj
New member
I used this stretch a lot - top
worked a treat - really loosens up the posas too, so when you do situps no more lower back pain
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.d...05E457B919A1.hydra?id=459539&pageNo=-1#bottom
I normally hook my feet over a pad on the Keiser air situp machine to do it
worked a treat - really loosens up the posas too, so when you do situps no more lower back pain
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.d...05E457B919A1.hydra?id=459539&pageNo=-1#bottom
I normally hook my feet over a pad on the Keiser air situp machine to do it
blut wump
New member
Regarding the knees sleeves. I've been wearing them ever since I started the 20-rep squats program. I used to have just one that I'd wear on whichever knee felt most sore and recently found a second one.
My knees click and crack a lot during my warmups. I'm sure that the sleeves help with knee health after I've warmed up. As to whether they help the lift, I'm sure they give me a small amount of help.
My knees click and crack a lot during my warmups. I'm sure that the sleeves help with knee health after I've warmed up. As to whether they help the lift, I'm sure they give me a small amount of help.
solarclimax
New member
blut wump said:
Is it not a bad thing to be using knee sleeves/wraps long term ? don't they eventually have an effect on your knees in such a way that knees become a weak link if you ever stop using sleeves after a while ?
blut wump
New member
This far through the program, I'm reluctant to change things. In general, I use them when I'm expecting grief from my knee area. They are very effective at holding warmth in the joint and that helps with comfort.
I recall at one time during my last 5x5 wanting to put one on my right knee since it was complaining. Sadly, it was already in use on the left.
Knee wraps are very different to knee sleeves. Think of knee sleeves as wearing some nice cosy mittens. Think of wraps as power equipment that'll add, maybe, 40 or 50 pounds to your lift. I can't squat right down with wraps on; you hardly notice sleeves.
I recall at one time during my last 5x5 wanting to put one on my right knee since it was complaining. Sadly, it was already in use on the left.
Knee wraps are very different to knee sleeves. Think of knee sleeves as wearing some nice cosy mittens. Think of wraps as power equipment that'll add, maybe, 40 or 50 pounds to your lift. I can't squat right down with wraps on; you hardly notice sleeves.
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