Sissy Squats: bad for the knees?

[milkman21]

It seems to me that since the knees extend so far beyond the toes on this exercise that it might not be too healthy for the knees. Is this concern justified?

[milkman21]

Bump... any takers?

[steelerfan]

I think the whole knee beyond the toes crap is a bunch of bull, try going up steps without your knee going past the toes... It happens in everyday life!!!

[GqArtguy]

Originally Posted by milkman21

It seems to me that since the knees extend so far beyond the toes on this exercise that it might not be too healthy for the knees. Is this concern justified?

No.

[Lisa~]

Originally Posted by GqArtguy

No.

Hahahahaha! You pressed for time GQ?

Nice to catch up with you again, btw. I've been so out of touch for months. So wanted to say hi as much as anything.

milkman, Sissy Squats will bother some people's knees and not others, depends on the health of your knees before you try them.

But then again, why are you doing them? Why not stick with a basic compound lift for better overall development of your legs?

Lisa

[John Izzo]

If you are having knee pain, you are suffering from either ankle mobility or hip stability. There is a great article by Mike Boyle on PTonthe Net about the origin of some common pains.

[Newlife]

I would still try to avoid any movement that starts with the word Sissy, Pussy, or Stupid.

[Lisa~]

Originally Posted by Newlife

I would still try to avoid any movement that starts with the word Sissy, Pussy, or Stupid.

HA! Yes, and then there's that aspect!

[milkman21]

Hahaha... I'm glad I bumped this. Certainly worth the laughs.

Lisa - CT had prescribed the sissy squats as a potential isolation exercise for his HSS-100 program.

standAPART - no knee pain, just wanted to be cautious here. I had read the knees beyond the toes argument in terms of the sissy squat somewhere...I think from a reputable source like Hatfield, but I can't remember... and I wanted a second opinion from the experts here.

[shark]

A lot of folks will make the "knee beyond toes" argument. I think a lot of the fitness folks in this circle though, particularly Lou, Alwyn, etc. feel that the knee extends beyond the toe all the time in real life, which is an uncontrolled environment. That being the case, why wouldn't you train the same way, since the weight room is controlled, and, hypothetically, at least, safer?

[Simon.]

I remember reading that the rationale behind the recommendation to keep the weight on the heels in a conventional squat is that leaning on the toes will put alot of stress on the knees (regardless of wether or not the knees pass the toes).
With sissy squats you're on your toes through the whole movement, which is, according to the above, bad for your knees...

Opinions?

[K-Court]

Would someone explain what "sissy squats" are, please. I haven't heard this term before.

[shark]

Rob,

Find Keith, hold him parallel to the ground across your shoulders, and squat.

[K-Court]

LOL Chris. Ouch.

[K-Court]

Never mind. Found it.

http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...issySquat.html

[shark]

wow, what a weird excercise... i kind of like it!

[RacerBill]

Thanks for posting that link, Rob. I was wondering the same thing.

Okay, now for the next question: what's the purpose of doing sissy squats as opposed to other, more conventional squats -- or even plate squats?

[Lisa~]

Originally Posted by RacerBill

what's the purpose of doing sissy squats as opposed to other, more conventional squats -- or even plate squats?

It's very quad specific. They hurt. Try one or two and you'll know. LOL

But I don't like them as much as front squats or other quad dominant exercises. They're pretty much an old bodybuilder exercise. But they do hurt MY knees, despite me not having any real knee problems beside OLD knees!

Lisa

[Alcoholiday]

i would never do anything that looked like that. ha