Leg mass for old man with bad knees

[Bossman]

Im 44 yrs old, competing for 3 years, but lifting for 30 on/off, last 4 hard.

Ive been trying to add leg mass for the last couple of years. I squat, leg press, hack squat, leg extension, some lunges. I was doing heavy squat (495-575) but not completely to paralell for 8-10 reps. I felt I was NOT going deep enough so Ive retrained myself starting light and now Im going to paralell. Im fine until I get to 405. After one set of 405 my knees start to hurt. During my last workout, I could only do 405 for one set due to intense knee pain. I think that those 2-3 more inches lower are doing me in. After about 15 minutes rest I went on to heavy leg press with no problem. Then I went back and tried a 225 lb squat for reps but it tore me up with intense knee pain before I got to rep 7. I didnt even get low on this set before the pain started. I wrap my knees when over 315 lbs.

Should I stay a little lighter and maintain paralell on squat? Or reduce my overall travel on squats if I go over 315? Give up squat?

Im trying to add size so any suggestions would be appreciated. My knees never bothered me under any condition until I reached 40 yrs old.

[soulstealer]

Im 44 yrs old, competing for 3 years, but lifting for 30 on/off, last 4 hard.

Ive been trying to add leg mass for the last couple of years. I squat, leg press, hack squat, leg extension, some lunges. I was doing heavy squat (495-575) but not completely to paralell for 8-10 reps. I felt I was NOT going deep enough so Ive retrained myself starting light and now Im going to paralell. Im fine until I get to 405. After one set of 405 my knees start to hurt. During my last workout, I could only do 405 for one set due to intense knee pain. I think that those 2-3 more inches lower are doing me in. After about 15 minutes rest I went on to heavy leg press with no problem. Then I went back and tried a 225 lb squat for reps but it tore me up with intense knee pain before I got to rep 7. I didnt even get low on this set before the pain started. I wrap my knees when over 315 lbs.

Should I stay a little lighter and maintain paralell on squat? Or reduce my overall travel on squats if I go over 315? Give up squat?

Im trying to add size so any suggestions would be appreciated. My knees never bothered me under any condition until I reached 40 yrs old.

Why not try front squats + leg press... see if it helps with front squats it allows you to go much lower in weight while getting far greater QUAD activation so you in turn apply less stress to the joints...

[Ronnie Rowland]

Im 44 yrs old, competing for 3 years, but lifting for 30 on/off, last 4 hard.

Ive been trying to add leg mass for the last couple of years. I squat, leg press, hack squat, leg extension, some lunges. I was doing heavy squat (495-575) but not completely to paralell for 8-10 reps. I felt I was NOT going deep enough so Ive retrained myself starting light and now Im going to paralell. Im fine until I get to 405. After one set of 405 my knees start to hurt. During my last workout, I could only do 405 for one set due to intense knee pain. I think that those 2-3 more inches lower are doing me in. After about 15 minutes rest I went on to heavy leg press with no problem. Then I went back and tried a 225 lb squat for reps but it tore me up with intense knee pain before I got to rep 7. I didnt even get low on this set before the pain started. I wrap my knees when over 315 lbs.

Should I stay a little lighter and maintain paralell on squat? Or reduce my overall travel on squats if I go over 315? Give up squat?

Im trying to add size so any suggestions would be appreciated. My knees never bothered me under any condition until I reached 40 yrs old.

First let the knee heal before doing anymore squats!

Next, I would recommend doing heavy leg presses at the beginning of the workout and then follow up with lighter squats. When doing the squats reduce the travel by 2-3 inches in order to take the strain off the knee!

This should help!

[Bossman]

That sounds like a good plan. I warm up with extensions now before squat but that's not pre exhausting them. From what I can tell, its only squat that's giving me trouble.

Thanks!

First let the knee heal before doing anymore squats!

Next, I would recommend doing heavy leg presses at the beginning of the workout and then follow up with lighter squats. When doing the squats reduce the travel by 2-3 inches in order to take the strain off the knee!

This should help!

[ergo]

Hey I'm 45, 3 blown disc. Extreme tendinitus in both knees. Sqatting or lunging will bring tears to my eyes. Plus I broke my left knee cap in 2 places 4 years ago. I posted this info earlier for those who wish not to squat due to whatever reason. This is a typical quadricep routine that I use. The poundages may vary, not the intensity. My legs have never looked better. I wear Tommy Kono neoprenes for the complete workout. This is not an argument against squats. Just an example to demonstrate muscle responds to stress created. I'm off season now. My legs can look like this in 6-8 weeks with the proper knowledge, which I have. I can copy and paste if you cannot open Word.