Knee exercises

[jw34]

I ended up taking off around 4-5 weeks or so and let it heal enough and I felt less and less pain. During that time I did more stationary bike work and exercises that were for meniscus rehab.
Yes, a bit of a short term break will help. But use that time to do a bit of rehab and re-think your throw.

[uNicedmeMan]

DON'T do leg extensions...they will destroy the stability in your knee
Also it is not so much that you are "strengthening your knees" rather it is the strength in the supporting musculature
I have discussed this with my sports med doctor often enough given the state of my knees
anyway the reco's are:
calf raises...if you don't have a set of weights at home...just use stairs...toes on the edge of the step, then lower and raise yourself...do one leg at a time

squats for sure...body weight will work...raise your arms in a "Y" above your head

wall sits...squat down and sit with your back against a wall...this will work your quads without straining the ligaments in your knee as your feet are planted (as opposed to when doing extensions)

lunges...step forward and lower your centre of gravity and then push back up

IF you do have a weight set...still do the above but squats with a bar finished with a calf raise

add weights to your lunges

and add in curls
hamstring strength is hugely important to stabilize the knee

and let's be clear you spend the all your time lugging your body weight around...so there is nothing wrong with training with your body weight...it trains you for exactly the job you have to do...it just might take extra time/reps etc

What's the difference between leg extensions and curls? Is it that leg extensions are the seated position and the curl is the lying on the stomach?

[Flick4D]

Yes, you are correct. Leg (knee) extensions are typically performed in a seated position as far as machines go, and leg curls (knee flexion) are typically performed lying down or seated on a machine.

I'd recommend performing this exercise instead of leg curls, though. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYnVwNhB ... re=related

It's a very functional exercise, despite being performed in a non-functional position, and works the hamstrings, glutes, lower back, and abdominals (super important for core stability/knee and hip stability/power production). If you've ever worked out hard, had sore hamstrings, and tried throwing sidearm (or any) drives while still sore, you realize how important these muscles are!

[uNicedmeMan]

Thanks Flick!

I'll give that a try. I gotta admit the first few times I watched that video I was really thinking of a few other exercises I'd like to do...

[Claytoon]

I want to 'work out' so bad now!
But seriously, they look like good core exercises too.

[Flick4D]

I thought that would be more enjoyable, and a better example than some dude...

[victorb]

Yes, you are correct. Leg (knee) extensions are typically performed in a seated position as far as machines go, and leg curls (knee flexion) are typically performed lying down or seated on a machine.

I can't see your vid link from here at work, but I thought I'd add a few facts to what you mentioned.

Leg extensions and hamstring curls are known as 'open chain' type exercises - where the foot is not in a fixed position. The downsides of these type of exercises outweigh the benefits in all but the healthiest of joints.

The 'closed chain' alternatives are squats/lunges for your quadriceps, and straight leg dead lift for your hamstrings. The fixed positioning of the feet provides stability and decreases direct pressure that is put on the knee joint. They are a great way to work out safely, high difficulty while protecting your knees.

[uNicedmeMan]

Yep.

I've been doing a bunch of squats, lunges (both forward and backward), romanian deadlifting, straight leg deadlifting combined with a bunch of stretching. I'm really trying to get my legs beefed up enough to support my big ass through the disc golf season.

[garublador]

Yep.

I've been doing a bunch of squats, lunges (both forward and backward), romanian deadlifting, straight leg deadlifting combined with a bunch of stretching. I'm really trying to get my legs beefed up enough to support my big ass through the disc golf season.

Have you done any lateral (sideways) lunges yet? You might find some "new" muscles if you haven't. I'm far from a sports physiologist (I don't even know if I spelled it right) but it seems like it would be an especally good exercise for disc golfers, too.

[uNicedmeMan]

Yep.

I've been doing a bunch of squats, lunges (both forward and backward), romanian deadlifting, straight leg deadlifting combined with a bunch of stretching. I'm really trying to get my legs beefed up enough to support my big ass through the disc golf season.

Have you done any lateral (sideways) lunges yet? You might find some "new" muscles if you haven't. I'm far from a sports physiologist (I don't even know if I spelled it right) but it seems like it would be an especally good exercise for disc golfers, too.

Didn't even think about that but it sounds great. I'll try it today. Thanks!

[Thommie]

abductor adductor, outer thigh inner thigh.
you can get the same results from pointing your toes in opposite 45 degree angles when squatting. \ /

[uNicedmeMan]

I'm also trying to eat canned sardines in olive oil from Trader Joe's 3x's a week or so after the gym.
1- I hear Omega3 is good for the joints and
2- Sardines are wicked high in protein
3- Pretty damn tasty on some rye triscuts

[uNicedmeMan]

Last night was the first time I played disc golf in a month.
Last night was also the first time my knee hurt in a month...
I guess I'm going to play less DG, I can't seem to figure out a safe pivot.

[Dig It]

squatz, oatz

[uNicedmeMan]

squatz, oatz

oatz?