Squats in smith machine and with bad knee

[stef25]

I'm really happy I found this site, very few good resources like this available on the net. I've been going to gym on and off for several years but not really getting anywhere. It hasn't really bothered me that much but these 5X5 stronglifts seems easy to follow so I'm determined to do just that.

I did my first session yesterday, all fine. Two issues: At my gym I can only do squats in a "smith machine". There's nowhere else I can mount the bar up high and then take it off on to my shoulders. I know squats are very important in this philosophy, so how bad is this?

Second issue: I have a bad left knee. Lately I've been running alot (30 min treadmill, 3 x week) and this has made my knee quite painful. When I do squats (especially with hips below knees) I can really feel my knee crunch. Should I check with a doctor before doing serious squats? I

(En Mehdi: groeten uit Asse!)

[Wellhairedbeast]

Smith machines are to be avoided at all costs (except for inverted rows).

One option is to clean the weight and front squat, at low weights you can even clean and press into a back squat. A steinborn lift is another option.

[holvoetn]

Hi and welcome !
(of welkom als je dat liever hebt )

Squatting will make your knees stronger. Start light, build up gradually as you feel you get stronger.
My knees also used to pop and crack when I started weight lifting, probably from playing volleyball for almost 20 years. I do not hear them anymore now

Already considered switching gyms ?

[stef25]

problem is - I think my knee problems are due to my legs by slightly bow-shaped (cowboy legs, whatever you want to call it). I used to work in orthopedics and fear I'm damaging the cartilage.

I like my gym because it's very convenient but yes ... looks like I'll have to switch. I don't feel comfortable lifting a bar with 60Kg over my head

[sgtrock]

Smith machines can and likely will make your knees worse. The squat motion is NOT in a straight vertical line, but the machine forces you into that straight line. Therefore either (a) your feet are too far forward to keep the weight properly on your back to avoid back injury, or (b) your knees track way too far forward to try and force you into that vertical plane. I started out with them too until I figured out my alternative (listed below), and was forced to do that because the Smith hurt my knees pretty bad.

Seriously, Smiths are horrible. This is not negotiable.

If you have a bench press station with adjustable J-hooks, the kind that go into a vertical post that has the holes all the way through, you can move the hooks to the back side of the bench and put the bar up there and do back squats. That's what I do right now, but it may not be stable at 200+, I'm not sure. Plus there's no spotter bar to catch if you have to dump suddenly.

[stef25]

If you have a bench press station with adjustable J-hooks

Only comes up to the height of my waist, so can not really be used. I'll finish the 4 weeks I have left on my membership there and look for another place.

Thanks!