A question on joint pain for a new lifter.

[Ashleigh]

Hey guys,

I'm obviously new to the forum so I'll start by introducing myself. I'm 22, happily married and I live in the Portland, OR area with my husband and our two dogs. He's in the Navy and gone quite often while I attend school and work a part time job.

My husband has been posting here since before he joined the Navy. He hasn't posted much in the recent past due to work obligations but would not have been able to enlist had it not been for the people of JP fitness helping him get in shape over 3 1/2 years ago.

On to my question; I've been going to the gym off and on for the past 4 years or so and I always focus on cardio. My husband has turned me towards lifting and bought me NROL4W. The book is great and I'm half way through it so I can start, but I asked my husband to walk me through a few different lifts at the gym and came across an interesting issue. When performing a standard squat (which is very difficult, but in a good way!) it feels as if it's having an affect on my knees. I almost want to say they hurt when doing the lift. Should I be concerned or will it most likely be corrected through proper diet and form?

Also, should I be concerned that I'm not able to squat deep enough to bring my upper thigh's parallel with the floor?

Thanks in advance for the help!

[LisaS]

I found that my knees felt better the more I squatted.
If BW squats are what are comfortable, stick with those for awhile. You're young - it will come quickly for you. Body weight, goblet squats and then regular squats, I'm sure you'll come along in no time.

For flexibility - you can try widening your stance, you can use the squat to stand exercises, you can squat holding a door frame for balance as you get deeper - I'm sure you'll loosen up and be fine.

[mmMatt]

<-- the husband.

Just had her widen her stance and rotate her feet outward slightly and voila, no knee pain.

Her toes were pointing straight. I attempted a BW squat with the same foot placement and almost burst into tears lol.

[Ashleigh]

For flexibility - you can try widening your stance, you can use the squat to stand exercises, you can squat holding a door frame for balance as you get deeper - I'm sure you'll loosen up and be fine.

Thank you! Just widening my stance felt so much better. Thanks for the quick reply!

[LisaS]

[btinternet]

Originally Posted by mmMatt

<-- the husband.

Just had her widen her stance and rotate her feet outward slightly and voila, no knee pain.

Her toes were pointing straight. I attempted a BW squat with the same foot placement and almost burst into tears lol.

I had this problem too - I think in a lot of exercises you're taught not to angle your feet or take a wide stance. That was the correction my lifting partner made too, and it has helped immensely.

[chaddukes]

Originally Posted by btinternet

I had this problem too - I think in a lot of exercises you're taught not to angle your feet or take a wide stance. That was the correction my lifting partner made too, and it has helped immensely.

Yep, that was a big discovery for me as well. Once I realized this simple little change I actually started to like (OK, maybe thats a stretch) squats.

I'm still experiencing joint pain when I do just about any upper body work. And I can't figure out why. My elbows always seem to have some inflammation no matter what I do. It's a mystery I have yet to figure out.