If my knees hurt from squatting...

[seizer]

am I leaning forward too much? Applying too much weight towards the front of my feet?

I've had to take a little over a week off ebcause my knee joints have been killing me and wondering if this was the problem.

 

[Guinness5.0]

Are you going deep? Oly stance or PL?

My first guess would be forward lean, especially since you brought it up. Leaning can be due to a weak posterior chain or weak abs, or both. Or just lack of practice with 'sitting back'. I can tell you this much - 'curing' my forward lean caused my squat to take some hefty jumps in poundage.

 

[HaZaRDouZ]

like guiness said first what is your technique? are you going down to the parellel or lower with the weight? If not you may be using too much!
I use a wide grip with squats, ive never had any knee problems.
Also you may want to invest into some knee wraps, ive heard they work wonders.

 

[eat big]

Most likely a forward lean. I had the same problem. What kind of shoes are you using? If they are running shoes with a high sole, don't wear them. I go barefoot now and my knees are fine. You're 19, you've gotta be doing something wrong.

 

[TheOak84]

ur prolly leaning forward cuz ur hips are not strong enough

lighten the weight up, sit back and go deep

 

[seizer]

I'm gonna lower the weight tonight. Gonna see how that works out..thanks peeps

 

[Protobuilder]

Are you doing cardio that might be causing some stress on your knees? Just a factor to consider. My knees occasionally start aching if I'm putting a lot of miles on 'em along w/ weight training.

 

[rpb161]

if you think its your form, use a smith machine to perfect it.

 

[Guinness5.0]

if you think its your form, use a smith machine to perfect it.

Absolutely NEVER use the smith to squat. This is an awful idea. That'll lead to more knee pain, not less:

http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=434136

 

[mojaz87]

if you think its your form, use a smith machine to perfect it.

I don't think Smith machine and perfect should be used in the same sentence. Ever. Unless of course you're trying to say that the Smith machine is a perfect example of useless gym equipment. In that one case, it might be acceptable.

Anyways, I agree with the rest who were saying to lighten the load and sit back. About a year after I started lifting I had to completely demolish my squat and start over from scratch because I had been taught to let my knees go foreward first and to not go down even to parallel. When you take some weight off and do it right, you will definitely feel more stable and confident with your squat. Pending the learning curve, you will probably add some hefty poundage to your max as well. Good luck!