Free Weight Squat

[Persian]

what ever i do i cant squat heavy free weight ..i cant even go medium weight my rite knee starts killing me ...i dont know why ...
on smith i can squat nice and heavy .... free weight just messes me up ..its pretty annoying .... i cant even do a rock bottom with a 20 kg on each side ...

anyone have similar problem

 

[Glycomann]

How long have you been doing them and how low are you going? Do you keep the bar high on your traps or lower? Are you sitting into the movement or leaning forward? Leaning a little forward puts a lot more pressure on your knees.

 

[DLEATO]

i would start with a low weight were you can Perform the movement correctly then work up. I personally will never use a smith machine for squatting, not only do i consider it cheating but i dont think it goes to well on the back.
Sounds like you have had a injury in you're rite knee before? other wise it would be affecting both imo...

 

[Shovel]

You have to find a comfortable placement for your feet and make sure you don't lean forward like Gman said.

Try some quality knee wraps, they help me.

I do squats every 2 weeks and I go heavy as hell on my 3rd set. 4th set(last) is at 50% to failure.

 

[Shovel]

Also, I'm one of those guys who can't go hams to calves. I can't even do it without weight. I bring my quads parallel at most.

 

[BikerTrash]

By all means your physique is fabulous , so hats off to you for your dedication .
I used to hate squats , now I look forward to them weekly. I had to find the comfortable feet placement as has already been said but once I found the perfect spot its great. I use free weights only but I use the neck/trap plastic thingy that keeps the weight right up top . I typically go ass to ankles on the first 2 sets,then the 3rd set is heavy as fuk so not all the way down then the 4th set back all the way down with lighter weight .
and the Knee wraps definalty help keep them secure and less wobbly .

 

[Glycomann]

I also use wraps on anything over 315 and up. They help a lot.

 

[Guest]

I will have x2 on Dleato. Go light and hit it to strengthen the muscles surrounding it. Gradually build it up. In fact I'd think if you stayed on it....the knee will get better.

 

[Softy08]

Bro with your build it really doesnt matter at all. Youve got awesome.....pretty much everything, specially Quads, so I would have to say, stick to what works best for YOU. I get SFA out of smith squats, but thats just me. I know guys that ger SFA out of any squat and only seem to grow on the leg press.....everyone is different and the key is to find what works best for each individual.
I cant grow chest with DB's press, only BB.....go figure??? lol

 

[Dawgpound_Hank]

Pers are you warming the knees up before doing squats? If not, do 2 or 3 sets of light leg extensions for about 25-30 reps a set to get some blood in the knees dude. Back in my heavy squatting days, I would always start with 10 mins of low intense walking on treadmill, then a couple sets of leg extensions. If not, my knees would hurt for the 1st 2 or 3 sets also. And as already mentioned, make sure your squat form is on time - when you descend, don't let the knees extend out over the toes.

 

[Persian]

How long have you been doing them and how low are you going? Do you keep the bar high on your traps or lower? Are you sitting into the movement or leaning forward? Leaning a little forward puts a lot more pressure on your knees.

not long ... i neglected legs for years i started 10 months ago ....
i puttem on my traps ...im sitting ....in the movement....its the rite kneee ..i think my problem is either i just cant go heavy ....
i was able 2 go so much heavier back in the days ..when i use 2 do legs 1nce in a blue moon ... u think it can be cuz i have a lower body fat% ...

You have to find a comfortable placement for your feet and make sure you don't lean forward like Gman said.

Try some quality knee wraps, they help me.

I do squats every 2 weeks and I go heavy as hell on my 3rd set. 4th set(last) is at 50% to failure.

ya another buddy of mine said the same thing ...to use wraps ....

Bro with your build it really doesnt matter at all. Youve got awesome.....pretty much everything, specially Quads, so I would have to say, stick to what works best for YOU. I get SFA out of smith squats, but thats just me. I know guys that ger SFA out of any squat and only seem to grow on the leg press.....everyone is different and the key is to find what works best for each individual.
I cant grow chest with DB's press, only BB.....go figure??? lol

thanks bro ...
whats p!ssing me off is i use 2 get the muscle pain which i love but recently i dont know i feel crippled....i can kill it in hack squats and all but just squats ...arrghhhh
i cant bench for sh!t but i can dumb press crazy ...so i figure lol ...

Pers are you warming the knees up before doing squats? If not, do 2 or 3 sets of light leg extensions for about 25-30 reps a set to get some blood in the knees dude. Back in my heavy squatting days, I would always start with 10 mins of low intense walking on treadmill, then a couple sets of leg extensions. If not, my knees would hurt for the 1st 2 or 3 sets also. And as already mentioned, make sure your squat form is on time - when you descend, don't let the knees extend out over the toes.

i bicycle and then i do warm up a bit ...its just weird when i come think of it ...cuz i can swear 2 months ago i was squatting more and no pain ...i use to hit 120 lbs pound dumbbells in incline press now if i hit 120 lbs i get pain for a nice couple days .. and i know im more muscle now ...much more ...


how wide should i keep my legs open u guys reckon ....
what do u guys recommend me to do ..stick to 1 weight ...high reps ...

 

[DLEATO]

softy and DH made tow good points which i think can really contibute to helping you're form.

Find what works best for you - this including # of reps.

Warming up is very important with such a heavy movement like squats.
Il always save them till last when im fully stretched out and there is plently of blood flow in my legs.

what really catches my eye is that it is only affecting one knee. Is you're proportion even when squatting?
It might be some use to film yourself squatting ( from numerous angles), to double check you're arch, position and speed.

Some new kicks may also provide you with some additional support ( if you can afford them).