Starting NROL

Spiderbat · 09-22-2006, 10:37 AM

My name is Jason. I have been lurking for a couple of months and have learned alot. So I am stepping out of lurkerdom with this question. I just finished reading NROL and started the Break-in today with one of my friends. I am by know means a fitness expert, but I've learned alot about lifting over the years and my friend came to me for help getting in shape. I figured NROL would be a great place for him to start, but after doing Break-in A today I am a little concerned about the health of his knees. When he bends them it sounds like stones getting ground into the pavement (he says it doesn't hurt). Would it be better to start him with some kind of very basic push/pull split until he gains flexibilty and strength in his knees?

emartin10 · 09-22-2006, 11:26 AM

Hey Jason -

Welcome! I started NROL this week as well, so we'll be going through it together it looks like.

I have similar problems with my knees, on deeper squats, or just kneeling down, they'll pop sometimes. It doesn't hurt me at all either, but I've still had doctors constantly looking at them since bad knees are a common trait in my family (Dad's had 3 knee surgeries). I would suggest he get them looked at by a doctor just to make sure there is nothing wrong in there, but if he is squatting with good form, then it shouldn't wreck his knees at all (and there is a lot of literature out there to back it up). After a doctor clears him, I don't see any reason why squatting would be a bad thing. You might think about popping over to Bill Hartman's injury forum to see if he has any thoughts as well, as his advice is worth it's weight in gold. Good luck!

E

Lisa~ · 09-22-2006, 11:33 AM

This discussion of noise in the joints might help you distinguish what is causing the pop. Snap, Crackle, Pop
(I hope this link works. I couldn't find it anymore except as a Google cached item.)

How to proceed is hard to say. It depends on his joint health. At any rate, a focus on excellent form for every rep would be appropriate.

Kevin T. · 09-22-2006, 12:25 PM

My knees used to pop whenver I squatted. That was back when I did should width stance squats and my form was crap. I've since moved to wider stance PL squats and have worked on my form. As my squat form and strength have improved, my knees no longer pop or crack when I squat. Just a thought.