Starting Squats Next Week...

**Brazensol** · 05-31-2013, 12:41 PM

...and was wondering if I should use any knee support? I have not had any problems with my knees and want to keep it that way! So, should I use knee wraps even though I'm just starting and the weight will be relatively light? Or would it be better to wait until I start to move up in the poundages?

**kelkel** · 05-31-2013, 01:28 PM

You don't need wraps at all. Just spend some time on a stationary bike and warm them up. Then start slow and "feel" your way along. Give your tendons and ligaments time to adjust to the new stress being placed on them. In other words, train really light and don't "push it" for a few months until your body has time to adapt.

**evander87** · 05-31-2013, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by kelkel

You don't need wraps at all. Just spend some time on a stationary bike and warm them up. Then start slow and "feel" your way along. Give your tendons and ligaments time to adjust to the new stress being placed on them. In other words, train really light and don't "push it" for a few months until your body has time to adapt.

Truth

Check your ego and keep the weight light and the form strict and you should be able to avoid knee problems.

**Rusty11** · 05-31-2013, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by evander87

Truth

Check your ego and keep the weight light and the form strict and you should be able to avoid knee problems.

Exactly. And as kel said, take it slow and easy. You can really F yourself up with bad form and/or too much weight.

**Brazensol** · 05-31-2013, 07:03 PM

Thanks guys. I just hope I don't get as nauseous as I used to get.

What are your thoughts on a lifting belt?

**tigerspawn** · 05-31-2013, 11:37 PM

I use to use wraps when I went heavy. This study that Turkish posted http://forums.steroid.com/lifting-te...-knee-joi.html shows why wraps shouldn’t be used. I still use a belt when I go heavy even though studies show there is no difference between using and not using a belt. http://www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Article...eightbelt.html

**italianstallion85** · 06-01-2013, 12:07 AM

I used to hate squats, but now man I love performing the exercise!

**Euroholic** · 06-01-2013, 04:52 AM

Cant have a leg workout with out squats. I do about 20 reps with the bar for warmups and to get my form in check.

**bdos** · 06-01-2013, 05:56 AM

I used to hate them too but really get into them now always have a good warm up.

**Brazensol** · 06-01-2013, 07:08 AM

I know I've often heard doing squats also makes the rest of your body grow. Looking forward to that!

**JWP806** · 06-01-2013, 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by Brazensol

I know I've often heard doing squats also makes the rest of your body grow. Looking forward to that!

What has your leg workout looked like up until now? I swore after highschool I would never do squats again but I started back a year ago and my legs have grown like weeds. I just hit squats for 4-5 sets, leg press 4-5 sets, leg curls 7s and extensions 7s.

I wouldn't worry about knee wraps or a belt. I throw the belt on on my last two heavy sets but honestly, it probably wouldn't make a difference if I didn't use it.

As kel said, you have to warm up properly. I pulled muscle in my quad because I didn't get a good warm up in. Definitely could have been worse but this put me out if going heavy on legs for 3 weeks or so.

What is your leg workout going to look like now that you are adding squats?

**Pittsburgh412** · 06-01-2013, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by Brazensol

...and was wondering if I should use any knee support? I have not had any problems with my knees and want to keep it that way! So, should I use knee wraps even though I'm just starting and the weight will be relatively light? Or would it be better to wait until I start to move up in the poundages?

Me personally to warmup for leg day, I walk very lightly on a treadmill and do high knees for probably 2 minutes
Then do leg extensions for 25,15,10 reps on a lightweight like 150 ( adjust if your legs aren't the strongest) then go to them squats bro
*Also knee wraps are not worth it IMO

**italianstallion85** · 06-01-2013, 06:37 PM

To Brazensol: That is true. When performing heavy squats, your body releases more natural growth hormones.

**evander87** · 06-02-2013, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by italianstallion85

To Brazensol: That is true. When performing heavy squats, your body releases more natural growth hormones.

And deadlifts even more.

Eat meticulous, train ridiculous for best results.

**kelkel** · 06-02-2013, 02:04 PM

Squats can be a brutal exercise. Yet if done to their full potential the growth from them when coupled with sound nutrition is outstanding. I don't think there's a more challenging yet satisfying exercise at the same time. Love-hate relationship.

**basketballfan22** · 06-02-2013, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by kelkel

Squats can be a brutal exercise. Yet if done to their full potential the growth from them when coupled with sound nutrition is outstanding. I don't think there's a more challenging yet satisfying exercise at the same time. Love-hate relationship.

Couldn't agree with this more. It always takes a little bit of extra motivation (and rest) for me to do my sets when squatting. I hate them, but I love the results.

**italianstallion85** · 06-02-2013, 02:15 PM

Lol preach it Kelkel!

**nafnlaus** · 07-26-2013, 08:46 PM

wraps are not needed, get warm up "sleeves" keep your knees warm at all time during squatting and you will be safer . belts can make up for some lack in core strength and shouldnt be needed unless you attempt a max effort lift

**Brett N** · 07-27-2013, 05:26 AM

I warm up doing light squats. I start with empty bar, do a 1x5. Add 50# and repeat. When I get to about 80% of my working weight I do 1X3. Make sure to warm up though. It makes all the difference. Light cardio is good yoo or even a walk around the block. Nothing strenuous though. I do my squats first on my workout. I have read that your body uses 400 muscles when doing a squat, no idea if it is true but you will feel like your whole body seems to just feel more solid.

I don't believe in using wraps or anything that actually makes it easier. I squat 320 right now and still don't feel I am needing a belt. Maybe when I hit 400.

41 here and still going strong. No knee issues, if anything they have gotten better since starting the squats. Check your form or have others do it for you.