Knee pain when doing squats

eagle SG

Today, after 1 quick light warm up sets, and 1 middle warm up set, I started doing a bit heavier. This is after a heavy session of chest workout.

Problem: For my first set, my left knee was a bit painful. My left knee has always give me a minor problem sometimes ever since army.

However, for my 2nd and 3rd set with a slightly heavier weight, I did not feel any more pain.

Question: Is the slight pain because I did not warm up enough? Or is it because of technique? Lack of strength (To me still rather light weight)? Or is it because of a problem of my knee.

Thanks

Marco_Simone SG

Knee pain ah...I used to have them when I do quad dominant squats...

Quad dominant squats=you start the descent by bending your knees instead of sitting back.This puts a lot of stress on your knees.

Look at how he starts by sitting back instead of bending the knees.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwxiQMnCS2w

You can also perform SMFR on your ITB before you do squats.In layman's terms,perform foam rolling on the side of your quads.This works for me.

A vid on how to do SMFR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCIHZsESxOU

OPT SG

Good answer

Do the above and see how it feels

Resentment SG

no its because , you have not been exercising for a very long time , that is why it will feel pain.

eagle SG

Rolling Eyes

You sure? Twisted Evil

eagle SG

Am I supposed to feel anything while doing the above?

I don't have a foam with me now, but I think I can adapt a bit perhaps with some other pillows?

Lastly, when should I do the SMFR? Just before squatting, or anytime at home?

Thanks.

Simon Dean SG

Before workouts.You can use a tennis ball as well.

If you are in Singapore best to pay OPT a visit and learn how to.

knightlll SG

I think it may be becos' right leg is stronger than your left knee , plus there is a sudden stress on the left knee due to a heavier body weight than before.

galapogos SG

You will be in a world of pain when you do ITB foam rolling for the first time, even with a regular density foam roller. Tennis balls are for more advanced users who already have the major knots broken and need to get deeper past the guarding muscles, or at a more concentrated area. You will need something with sufficient stiffness so no, pillows obviously won't work. If your gym has a medicine ball or swimming noodles those *might* work, but they're a very very poor substitute. You should be foam rolling anyway so just get one. It's only $20.

eagle SG

As in, which area will I feel the pain in? Muscles or joint? Stretching type of pain?

galapogos SG

The “knots” are in the muscle fibers so you will feel the tender spots in the muscle.