There are many people who perform various different exercises in the gym and just push on through the pain barrier if they happen to feel any niggles during their workout.
This is generally not a problem in many instances, but when you feel pain in your knees, you need to be extra careful because this pain can easily deteriorate into quite a serious injury, and in some instances you may continue to have knee problems for the rest of your life if you continue pushing yourself.
So to help you avoid suffering from any knee problems, I thought I would highlight some of the exercises that are widely considered to be bad for your knees.
I’m not necessarily suggesting that you avoid these exercises altogether, but you really need to exercise caution if you have any long-standing problems, and you should certainly be aware of the possible risks when performing these exercises.
1. Running
There are some experts who will argue that running is not at all bad for your knees, but it is commonly believed that runners are more likely to suffer from knee problems in middle age than people who don’t do any running at all.
I am convinced that this is true because I have come across many people in their 40s, 50s and 60s who used to be keen runners, but now have some kind of ongoing problem with their knees.
2. Squats
Squats are one of the most effective leg exercises you can do because if you use heavy barbells, you can really get some serious muscle development in your quads and thighs. However they can also mess up your knees if you are not careful.
I have personal experience of this because I have regularly felt a small amount of pain in my knees, even when using perfect form.
Indeed it is absolutely imperative that you don’t bend your knees too far forward, ie in front of your toes, when performing squats because this can easily lead to injury.
3. Lunges
Forward and backward lunges will also help develop your leg muscles if you use heavy dumbbells or a barbell, for example, but these too can put enormous pressure on your knees.
So once again you need to ensure that you are not bending your knees too far forward or overstretching yourself when doing these lunges.
It is normal to feel a little discomfort when you first start doing these exercises, but if you continue to feel pain, you need to either make sure your form is absolutely perfect, or consider avoiding doing this exercise altogether to avoid doing any lasting damage.
4. Leg Extensions
The leg extension machine at the gym is always one of the most popular machines for those people who are looking to develop their leg muscles, but it is also one that is notoriously bad for your knees.
As you may have discovered yourself, this particular exercise places a lot of strain on your knee joints, particularly as you start to increase the weight. So it is no surprise that many people end up injuring themselves as a result.
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