Leg extension

[anthrax]

I am very cautious with squat since I have some problems with my lower back and knee

I am doing more leg extension to preserve my knee but it seems that les extensions can be more taxing on the knees....

 

[The Red Dragon]

I've seen that a lot too. When your knee is at 90 degrees the 4 ligaments supporting your knee are the most relaxed. You start the motion when your legs are already at 90 degrees (without the protection of the tendons). I may be wrong.

 

[from zero]

What are your specific problems for your lower back?

Squats can be very beneficial for the knees ...

 

[anthrax]

What are your specific problems for your lower back?

Squats can be very beneficial for the knees ...

I have a fracture of the vertebrae, years ago
which generates a kyphosys

 

[IronandGravity]

Are smith squats good if you have a bad back?

Leg extensions never seemed to do anything for me. Plus the squat hits so many other muscles.

 

[needsize]

there is actually more shearing force put on the knee from extensions then from any other exercise, extensions are the devil!!! If you squat ass to the floor, past parallel the stress will shift from your knees, to the hips, which are much stronger and more able to handle it.
But if you cant squat, anthing is better on the knees than extensions

 

[Tom Treutlein]

I've never experienced any pain on my knees from extensions, but I'm sure there's plenty of research to say why they're worse than squats.

Can anyone dig up an article or two?

 

[string_bean00]

Wouldn't the pressure on the knees be greatly reduced if you didn't lock out on extensions, and just kept constant tension on the quads?

 

[Atomic Punk]

To avoid knee strain on Extensions:

1. Don't go heavy.
2. Perform the lift in a controlled manner--don't jerk!
3. Don't lock the weight out at the top of the lift.

 

[Tom Treutlein]

Well, what's considered "heavy"?

 

[Atomic Punk]

Well, what's considered "heavy"?

I don't know what's heavy for you bro. That varies, obviously, from person to person. But to me, if I were watching my knees, I would go with weights where I could do 10 solid reps with a 2/4 count. 2 on the positive and 4 on the negative.

 

[chewyxrage]

I recently dropped extensions.

If you want something for quads other than squatting then hit up the leg press.

 

[breathinbleedout]

Leg extenstion never seem to work for me. I did it hardcore for 6 months 1x week.
My workout regime consisted of 4 sets (15, 12, 10, 8) each time with progressive loading. I also did individual legs after each main set for 12-10 reps.
After seeing no major results I switched to lungs and bam! In a matter of weeks christmas tree started to pop up on my quads, and my ass started to feel really toned out to, which is a bonous))

Try lungs, see if they are any better than squats, since they don't really put all that pressure on the knee.

 

[Atomic Punk]

I recently dropped extensions.

If you want something for quads other than squatting then hit up the leg press.

That's good advice. If it were me though, and someone wanted a lift similar to how extensions isolate the quads, I would tell them to go with Sissy Squats. Not many gyms have a sissy stand unfortunately, but if you have ever done them, then you know how well they isolate & work the quads. Make sure you are sitting back into the lift on the negative. You don't squat down as in a standard squat. You want to almost fall back into the lift, if that makes any sence. If you have done them before, and do them right, then you know what I am saying.

This lift is hard on the knees though, so the original poster might want to avoid them. If your knees are up to it though, they rule!!!!!!!!

 

[Atomic Punk]

Here's a link, with a guy doing sissies in a stand. An awesome exercise for isolating the lower quads. Tear drops galore!

http://www.bestpersonaltraining.com/sisysq.htm

 

[anthrax]

I recently dropped extensions.

If you want something for quads other than squatting then hit up the leg press.

I try to alternate squat and leg press

 

[chewyxrage]

i do the 5x5 squats and then do one of my 2x10's as leg press.

leg press seems to put a bit more pressure on my knees, but nothing wrong with that so far.

 

[Tom Treutlein]

Leg presses always put more strain on my knees than leg extensions. I do...

5x5 Box Squat
2x8-10 ATF Squat
2x8-10 Lunges (I don't need these, but I figure I'll throw in something else, and get my ass all firm...well, more firm haha)