alternative to squats??

[TEXgrl]

I suffer from sciatica from time to time and i've finally made the connection that i seem to have big flare ups when i try to do squats.....does anyone have any suggestions of alternatives for me to try to see if i can incorporate in my workout? it seems no matter how light i go on weights, i end up laid up for a couple of days.

 

[Sassy69]

Would any of the other machines help here ? Hack ? Smith? Leg press? Lunges? Sissy squats? Trying to find an alternative that maybe keeps your form tighter or perhaps puts pressure on more stable places?

OR, can you ask your doc for some alternatives? If he/she isn't exercise-oriented, have them recommend someone who is more educated or go to a sports specialist?

 

[Lady Viking]

What are sissy squats?

 

[Lady Viking]

I´ll try that in my next leg day, I can´t either do normal squats
I hope that I´m able to do that.

 

[TEXgrl]

actually, i haven't seen a doc for this problem in years. when i was having the most problems, i was heavier and inactive. once i began to work out, it resolved, except when i try to add squats to my routine. my form could be the problem. i may solicit some advice from a trainer at my gym.

ps i didn't know what sissy squats were either, but didn't want to ask!! glad someone else did!

 

[Lady Viking]

ps i didn't know what sissy squats were either, but didn't want to ask!! glad someone else did!

 

[Arioch]

Box squats (see Temple's thread). In the bottom of the squat there is less lean, hence less shearing force, so these may be an option. Front squats are another possibility.

 

[Realgains]

There ae a few alternatives to regular squats.

You could do squats in a Smith Machine.

You could do hack squats.

You could do heavy leg presses. MANY regular 45 degree machines seen in most gyms can be hard on the low back/sacrum and especially with someone that already has a problem. I recommend a nautilus leg press or a Hammer leg press as these are by far the best. My wife has suffered from sciatia for 20yesrs and finds the regualr 45 degree leg press machine at our gym okay.

OH! I almost forgot to include the ULTIMATE squat machine....TRUSQUAT machine is the ultimate but they are hard to find.
Try to do your reps as deep as you can without hurting the low back of course. My wife and I touch our knees to our chest/shoulders. Great total leg/butt work if you go deep. Who the H needs lunges for the butt..........they obviously have never done heavy deep squats or leg presses!
Forget about lunges and sissy squats as they will do jack.

 

[TEXgrl]

thanks for the replies, i've printed this thread and i'm going to check the other thread too!