Bad knees...........bigger quads

[RagingBull666]

Alright folks I need some advice.

I want to increase the hypertrophy on my thighs. As you know I'm a powerlifter. My right knee is shot. I cannot squat deeper than needed in competition without gear. What exercises can I do with a complete shit knee that will increase quad size? I currently have 29" thighs.

Also keep in mind that I am ALWAYS training for the next meet. I squat on Saturdays and the only other potential leg day is Wednesday AFTER I deadlift. My focus is, and always will be, powerlifting.

Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated. SS, RB

[Beverly McD.]

Have you tried tight kneewraps with some leg pressess JR? Feet close together maybe, to hit the outer quads. The kneewraps should give the knees some protection. The legpress allows you to work the muscle group in a variety of positions, one of which, hopefully, takes some of the strain off of the knee.

[WonderWoman]

I wrap mine if I am going heavy and not a pain in the world. I lost my wraps and that is on my bday list. AHEM, lol. Feet close will hit the outer, feet close back till you almost hit your chest and then bring them out a bit at the top and press out.. hits your inner.

Good luck on them leggies

[JG1]

I'd say try the leg press and work the reps. Keep your feet relatively close together and get in the 12-15 rep range up and down moderate-slow speed w/ no lock out at the top.....just keep it moving up and down like a piston, controlled and slow. You won't need a ton of weight doing it like that.

You say your knees hurts. Can you do shoulder width stance squats all the way down with maybe 315ish for reps? Bottom out hamstring to calf? I think these are actualy easier on the knees then doing squats to parallel...when doing them to parallel you use your knees as brakes when doing ass to the floor you take the knee out of it.

	ASS Nelson Montana

[WonderWoman]

I have also done my presses suicidal ones, lol.. 20 reps then 20 and 1/2 way less out on the press. I never lock out regardless but the last 20 are basically all out torture on your quads. You don't need much weight on this.. each set makes you wanna hurl

[Pixie]

Originally Posted by JG1

You say your knees hurts. Can you do shoulder width stance squats all the way down with maybe 315ish for reps? Bottom out hamstring to calf? I think these are actualy easier on the knees then doing squats to parallel...when doing them to parallel you use your knees as brakes when doing ass to the floor you take the knee out of it.

Unfortunately, most likely not. One, because he's a PLer and tends to not do anything more (depth-wise) than necessary to pass a lift (some PLer's mentality) and two, because his knee is lacking just about all its cartilage. This ass-to-grass position tends to be too much for these types of knees.

Although leg presses are a great idea... RB, that would require you to move away from the garage gym and get a commercial gym membership. Something to consider. Until then, or instead of, have you tried the powersquat at SWGym? Again, knee sleeves (at minimum), legs close, sit back to maintain normal squat motion.

	ASS Nelson Montana

[ILIEKFUDE]

Leg press? Forward sled drags?

[BiggT]

I'll back up the leg press. I was never a fan of them for functional strength, but for building up the legs, they do what they're supposed to do for sure.

[RagingBull666]

To expand upon knee pain. The right knee is gone. There is zero cartilage, the joint cap is gone and I'm bone on bone with fragments starting to come off. They would put a new knee in now but I have goals to achieve first.

Anything below parallel on squats is NOT going to happen. I can't pull sled at all as the knee inflames nearly instantly.

I like the idea of the leg press or the power squat (thanks Shanky) folks. A commercial gym has been considered even though I loathe the very thought of stepping into one. I had not thought of leg presses as it's been years since I've done them. Thanks all.

Anything else?? SS, RB

[GTLifter]

Normally wrapping your knees for higher rep (5+) movements is a bad idea because it can make the joint weaker and unable to support itself. However since your knee is pretty much FUBAR'ed I'd say wear a pair of neoprene sleeves all the time and then add some wraps on top of them.

[RagingBull666]

GT, I wear Inzer knee sleeves, the adjustable ones, all the time to alleviate pain and keep the patella tracking correctly. They keep me warm and give me support. SS, RB

[GTLifter]

ok

[Beverly McD.]

I completely understand about a commercial gym. You might want to just invest in a legpress. Gyms close all the time, and you can probably pick up a used one if you keep your eyes/ears open.

[RagingBull666]

Originally Posted by Beverly McD.

I completely understand about a commercial gym. You might want to just invest in a legpress. Gyms close all the time, and you can probably pick up a used one if you keep your eyes/ears open.

Thanks for the ideas Bev. Now I just need to win the lotto!! LOL!! SS, RB

[ILIEKFUDE]

Either way man keep us posted on what works. My knees fucked but i need to do something. Im down 25/30lbs from not leg training since injury. Sucks.
Im gona try forward sled drags this wknd.

[tewen]

quad extensions dont mess with my knees, and they give me awesome pumps and size! cant compare to a squat though, but for isolation on quads it the best for me anyways