Knees 'crack' when squatting

[MisterWolfe]

On my last set of squats where I am at the max I can do for 5 reps, the synovial fluid in my knees often cracks. It hurts for the brief moment it cracks, but I have no issues post workout with pain or weakness.

Would wrapping the knees help prevent the cracking of the joint?

How do you deal with this issue?

Thanks!

[gbg]

On my last set of squats where I am at the max I can do for 5 reps, the synovial fluid in my knees often cracks. It hurts for the brief moment it cracks, but I have no issues post workout with pain or weakness.

Would wrapping the knees help prevent the cracking of the joint?

How do you deal with this issue?

Thanks!

Don't squat

[mikieson]

Just tough it out. Heck I cant even squat down without weight without cracking and being in pain and I squat...So just tough it out and keep bangin!!

[MisterWolfe]

Don't squat

lol.. that won't happen. I LOVE squats!

If I thought damage was being done, I would stop, but there isn't.

I'm looking for ways to stabilize the knee and prevent the knees cracking. (Just like your knuckles crack, btw.. I am not talking about tendons or muscles here.. just the fluid in the joints).

[Mark1T]

How much do you warm up? I do 3 sets of body squats, a set with just the bar, set of 135, then 225, then 275 for warm up. That is around 60 reps before working sets.

Then, I am ready for my working sets. I do use knee wraps only for working sets. Don't know if they would prevent cracking, but they do help support my knees and feel better.

[MisterWolfe]

How much do you warm up? I do 3 sets of body squats, a set with just the bar, set of 135, then 225, then 275 for warm up. That is around 60 reps before working sets.

Then, I am ready for my working sets. I do use knee wraps only for working sets. Don't know if they would prevent cracking, but they do help support my knees and feel better.

I warm up for 10 minutes on the treadmill before I start a workout, I stretch, and then I move into my workout.

I am using Bill Starr's 5x5 right now, and before I get into lifting with the bar I do 10-20 BW squats, then move into the bar, which I start at 95lbs and work up to my last set.

[redweston]

I had joints that crack most my life, but they never hurt from it ???

Keeponpumpin!- red

[rockeo]

omega 3, 6, 9 ....fish oil pills help !!!

[bird72]

As the knee bends pressure can be placed on the inner or outer aspect of the knee. Certain noises are associated with deterioration of the cartilage within one compartment or the other. If the noise is not associated with pain and is found on the opposite, painless knee, then it is not necessarily significant. On the other hand, if it is associated with pain, it is a potential concern and will help the doctor make a diagnosis. As rockeo saids consume
omega 3, 6, 9 and add gluscosamine,chondroitrin and msm suplements.

[TDetroit]

i am thinking that squating at max is all done for you. you'll have to use trickery to build.

I recently took up down quarter reps at a lower weight. come down and then lift, but only a quarter of the way up, then lower and come up all the way. that's 1 rep. it's a great work out.

another one someone taught me recently, is just ups. put the bar on the guides at you level quad height. load with some wieght, then get under it as if you came down to squat, and lift upward and then set it back down. so you are starting at the bottom and using your energy at the bottom.

i would also add a lot of stabilization excercises. lunges in all directions. leg press. leg extension. leg curls. etc

[BrotherWolf]

My knees crackle when I walk LOL but I still squat..
taking glucosamine has helped quite a lot.. actually I think the most help came from squatting not from the glucosamine.. but who knows
fact is ... squatting is great for my knees when I warm up properly the crackling sound disappear, if I do not squat for 2 -3 days it comes back ..
I used to have a small pain as well but it's al gone now.
The stronger the muscles get, the less pressure is on the knees

[tomdana]

I find that my knees will have painless cracking though after warming up goes away and if I pay close attention to keeping my knees in a single plane with my toes -ie not coming in with the knees as many will do to get that rep they shouldn't--the popping is diminished. Glad to hear we are all still squatting, cracking and making lots of noise. No plan to stop unless I have to and i can't think of why that would happen any time soon. Good luck.

[gleko]

omega 3, 6, 9 ....fish oil pills help !!!

X2 since taking a bucket load of this stuff my knee cracking has stopped and I can even occasionally sit Sazai (knees folded under butt on floor) without too much troulbe for short perieods.
Yay fish oil

[Tranz-former]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90dbFDXfL3Q

[Bronzebird]

I warm up for 10 minutes on the treadmill before I start a workout, I stretch, and then I move into my workout.

I am using Bill Starr's 5x5 right now, and before I get into lifting with the bar I do 10-20 BW squats, then move into the bar, which I start at 95lbs and work up to my last set.

I just started doing 20 rep body weight deep squats before my 20 rep 45# Oly bar reps. I was starting out with 135# and now doing 155# with no cracking. Anoying to say the least and distracting when focusing on form. Pushing weight thru heals and not front ball of foot.
I hope your form basics are covered in detail with toe angle, knee angle to foot, knee location behind toes, and low profile squatting shoes. Running shoes with thick heel cushions does not work for me.
Best of luck finding that crackless groove.
Squat on!!

[Arlecchino]

Don't squat

INFIDEL!!!!!

[fuelish1]

ligaments or tendons rolling over bone joints?

[Luke Whippo]

chances are it's your form.

I've experianced the crack in knees before (some pain afterwards), lately this does not happen anymore, and this all I do for a warm-up-

(lastnight) 146x2, 196x2, 226x2 (warm-up)
I don't even squat the empty bar much anymore (not reccomended).

followed by working set 248x9 (add 5lb) 253x3 (add 5lb) 258x3

all the way down, might I add I didn't even use a squat rack, first reps of each set, I actually sat in the "asian squat" for a 4-5count (getting forced strech).



am I dangerous or what!!!!!!!!!

[Bronzebird]

chances are it's your form.

I've experianced the crack in knees before (some pain afterwards), lately this does not happen anymore, and this all I do for a warm-up-

(lastnight) 146x2, 196x2, 226x2 (warm-up)
I don't even squat the empty bar much anymore (not reccomended).

followed by working set 248x9 (add 5lb) 253x3 (add 5lb) 258x3

all the way down, might I add I didn't even use a squat rack, first reps of each set, I actually sat in the "asian squat" for a 4-5count (getting forced strech).


am I dangerous or what!!!!!!!!!

Very impressive routine. As a noob, my body motion of empty squats lets me build muscle memory for form, and being successful on the final near stall/fail rep. Working with out a spotter really takes concentration not to loose form and push that last rep without injury.
Rep's to U.

[Nikonguy]

Sadly your body is way out of sync MisterWolf.

At only 37 your knees are ahead of your ears. Your knees should not be creaky untill after you begin to have significant hearing loss.

Rx: an iPod or MP3 player before during and after each workout....and possibly each morning when you stoop down to pick up the morning paper.

[seems]

if your joint dont hurt and if your doc says it is ok then keep going.... should not be a problem

[Mark1T]

I warm up for 10 minutes on the treadmill before I start a workout, I stretch, and then I move into my workout.

I am using Bill Starr's 5x5 right now, and before I get into lifting with the bar I do 10-20 BW squats, then move into the bar, which I start at 95lbs and work up to my last set.

2nd try:

Honestly, that is not a great warm-up for Squats. To warm-up for Squats, you need to do the Squat movement. Years ago I tried the treadmill or stepper to see if that helped me knee pain before squats and it never did.

3 sets of body squats, 10 reps each, resting 1 minute between each set, then warm up with weights, then get into your working sets.

BIG difference.

[lbs1]

omega 3, 6, 9 ....fish oil pills help !!!

I tried this and it didn't work. I rubbed it in and the only thing I got was shinny/stinky knees.... sorry had to do it.

I can tell you that my knees sound like burning mesquite when I reach the bottom. Doctor told me that it may be due to genetics and unless I feel pain not to worry.

[csjunkie]

cracks are normal, the pains of working out hard.

[barriowolf]

Anyone have trouble, with maintaining form during squats. Keeping the knees from going past the toes. I've tried working with minimun weight, but I feel the form is still off. Any ideas, on how to improve the form.
jaime

[BrotherWolf]

Anyone have trouble, with maintaining form during squats. Keeping the knees from going past the toes. I've tried working with minimun weight, but I feel the form is still off. Any ideas, on how to improve the form.
jaime

start a thread and post some videos

this might help
http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wi...orm_a_squat.3F

[masspump]

i have had the same thing, strange.

[snoack]

INFIDEL!!!!!

x2!