| Re: Low Impact ways to build leg muscle mass?
Go see a physio. Although avoiding leg extensions may seem like a good idea
because of the way they feel when you do them, they may in fact be just what
you need to compensate for your knee infirmity (done properly and with the
right weight of course). I've had quite a a bit of knee problems and surgery
(though not your specific complaints)- different ligaments and bones broken-
and extensions were always part of my therapy. The theory being that if the
muscles (quads in this case) are strengthened, it takes pressure off the
knee and ligaments. Again, talk to a physiotherapist, not just those of us
who play one in ngs.
Phil wrote:
> "Mike Beauchamp" <newsgroups@mikebeauchamp.com> wrote in message
> news:<bo7g33013oc@enews2.newsguy.com>...
>> Hey all..
>> I'm trying to get a bit of an excercise plan set for this winter.
>> I'm not training for anything specific, I just want to lose a bit of
>> weight and be faster on the bike next summer, and more fit in
>> general.
>>
>> I'd like to build up leg muscle, which I figure would require weight
>> lifting excercises. The problem with that is that about 6 years ago,
>> I had a dislocated patella (playing hockey) and had a few knee
>> surguries. My knee definately feels stable now, but some of the leg
>> excercises just plain scare me. It's probably a mental block, but
>> still. Just doing a dry lifting action with my leg (raising my foot
>> up while sitting in a chair) makes some cracking noises that I
>> really hate, and feel like they are very damaging. So I hate doing
>> that movement, and would definately NOT want to do it with weight on
>> my leg.
>>
>> Squats seem scary, especially with a lot of weight. With a bit of
>> weight, I don't mind them. Calf raises are no problem, and neither
>> are the leg curls that work the hamstring. I'm not familiar with the
>> names of the muscle groups, or much about the excercises, but, it
>> seems like the main muscles used in cycling would be in the front of
>> the thigh.. so, not wanting to do leg extensions, I don't really
>> know how else to develop those muscles. Leg presses maybe? (although
>> I don't have equipment for that)
>
> I'm no doctor, and don't know much about your problem, but it looks
> like anything you could do to gain muscle may cause knee problems. If
> you want to work out those muscles, your knee is going to have stess
> on it in one way or another, I just don't see any way around that.
>
> You are on the right track to lose weight and increase your fitness
> with weights, but you still will need some form of cardio for optimum
> results.
>
> I would definately stay away from any leg extensions (like you
> described as sitting on the chair and lifting your leg), as they put a
> lot of force on the knee. You are better off with squats, deadlifts,
> and to a lesser extent, presses. Squats are not as dangerous as many
> people think if done correctly. I would argue they are the best and
> most important lift of any weight program. If higher weights bother
> you, you can make up for that somewhat with higher reps. The key is to
> only do as much weight as you can maintain proper form with, and not
> to use machines, which don't allow for proper form. Again, I am
> unsure of your specific problem, you will need to seek a professional
> rather than internet help there.
>
> You might want to check out misc.fitness.weights as well. There are a
> lot of jerks there, but a lot of very knowledgable people as well and
> a lot of great advice.
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