Squats again

[gramalyn]

What are your thoughts on wether or not squats are a necessary evil. I have arthritis in both knees and I at this time cannot do Lunges or squats without huge pain. However, I can use the Hack Squat machine with no weight if I am very very careful with the placement of my feet. I know this is for Quads but what else does it effect? Does anyone have some ideas for modifications that would help me out. I'm very stuborn and I just ignore minor pain.

[ebon00]

Squats are not the least bit evil, they just seem that way. About your situation, the bottom line is that anything that causes bad pain is out. So is squats kill your knees then you don't squat. Hack squats will hit the quads, adductors and glutes like any squatting-type movement. There is some minor involvement from the hams but it's not much.

[gramalyn]

Thanx! I have been doing the stairs at work now for a month (seven floors) and during the first week & a half my knees swelled up so badly it looked like I had sausages for legs, whew and ache...? However like I said I am stubborn and I kept going and taking glucosamine and anti inflamitories and suddenly I looked down and there was a knee cap. The pain is negligible and I beleive it is in fact fading. For some reason the Hack squat machine does not put the extreme pressure on my knees that standing perpendicular would. I will continue with this and gently add a little weight when I feel I can handle it.

[Timbers]

What about leg extensions and leg curls?

[gramalyn]

Curls are a piece of cake. Calf muscles are in very good shape considering the neglect. I do leg extensions using about 50lbs but it always involves some pain. I can use less weight but it doesn't seem to work the muscles very well and besides it annoys people when the bar flys up too far and makes a clanging sound.