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should I work out my legs?

atmasters Posts: 70 Joined: 2005/08/10	2005/10/15, 03:12 PM I never really work out my legs at all. I have knee injury that I tend to favor a little. I do HIIT's and cardio on the elliptical 3-4 times a week. But was wondering because your legs are such a big muscle does it burn more calories working them with weights? would that help in toning my body up at all?
wrestler125 Posts: 4,619 Joined: 2004/01/27	2005/10/15, 04:28 PM Yes, much more. If you are worried about your knee, stick with squatting, and possibly even give the box squat a try. The box squat will basicly force you to squat with better form, and teach you to sit back further. Some other tips for those worried about hurting their knees... Sit back. Sit back farther in your squat to prevent you knee from travelling over and forward of your toes. This puts unnecessary added stress on the patellar tendon of the knee. This is the most difficult coaching point on the squat, but it is very important. Squat deep. Research shows that the most unstable knee angle is just over 90 degrees. For most people, this equates to about a quarter squat. What sense does it make to stop at your most unstable angle, hold the weight, and then accelerate it back up through the concentric portion of the lift? Not much. This puts the most stress at the weakest position. This is not a good scenerio for anyone, especially someone with a preexhisting knee injury. Use a barbell. The natural path of a barbell is much superior to that of a machine, because it puts much less stress on the patellar tendon and the cruciate ligaments of the knee because there is no pushing backwards. Squatting in a machine is an unnatural movement. -------------- Your two most important minerals: Iron and Chalk. If you smoke or don’t wear your seatbelt, please don’t tell me the deadlift is dangerous.
ThePump Posts: 1 Joined: 2005/10/17	2005/10/17, 01:33 PM atmasters, Could you give some information with regards to your knee injury (ie. soft tissue damage, ROM, etc.). I'd like to give you some exercise recommendations, but I need some background on your knee! Erik Mortensen BPE, CSCS, MES, CFC
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2005/10/18, 05:06 PM I did too, and after I started squating, my knees the ligiments in them tendons all got stronger. But by not training your legs, your actually making them weaker.Most peopel always have an excuse for not training legs...I play soccer, I run alot, I walk. yeah? well I have/had tendonitis in both my knees......and I can squat 500lbs. -------------- Friends don't let friends squat high... People don't reach thier true potental, only those who seek it.
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2005/10/18, 09:13 PM By all means, strengthen the muscle around the injured area. Go slow, the muscle gets stronger much faster than connective tissue. -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.... bb1fit@freetrainers.com