Why are hack squats bad for the knees

[Dj Ron]

I've read many times on threads that they are bad for the knees, but I'm wondering if someone can explain it to me in detail. Is it because of the angle that you do hack squats that make it bad for your knees. I can't figure it out.

I'm considering dropping them but I'd like some recommendations as what to substitute them with. Currently doing:

Squats
Leg Press
Lying Leg Curls
Lunges
Leg extensions

Would adding front or overhead squats be redundant since I'm doing behind the neck squats already?

[Scientist]

I THINK they are bad because they force your knee to travel past your toes. IF you are talking for this:

http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...HackSquat.html

[ironwrestler]

Originally posted by Scientist
I THINK they are bad because they force your knee to travel past your toes. IF you are talking for this:

http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...HackSquat.html

That is one exercise I've never seen before.

[Scientist]

Originally posted by ironwrestler
That is one exercise I've never seen before.

DON'T TRY IT!!

[Eric_FXST]

I USED TO DO mine on the 45 degree hack squat machine. I hated them. But read in...muscle and fitness...uh-hum(excuse me) back when I designed my leg routine, that they were good for increasing quad sweep.
They always felt like hell on my knees, and I could never really keep my heels and ass planted like they were supposed to be.

The platform is too far back, and when I would drop my quads to parallel, my knees were way past my toes. It just never felt like a regular squat did.

So, now I am finished with them. I think I was doing too much for legs anyway.

With them dropped out, I still do:

Squats - 4 sets
Leg Press - 4 sets
Seated hamstring curl - 3 sets
Seated Calf Raise - 3 sets

Plus, I do deadlifts on Tuesdays. Which is a bit of a leg exercise, for me.

[hyp3r3xt3nsion]

they would murder my knees...ouchie :/

[Furious E]

stay away from machines. front and overhead squats are good exercises. much better than the press,hack squat, and extensions

[bgzee]

Originally posted by Furious E
stay away from machines. front and overhead squats are good exercises. much better than the press,hack squat, and extensions

I tried front squats once... and failed miserably. Kept slipping off my shoulders cuz i sweat a lot and workout without a shirt. Could hold much weight on there either... definatly not enough to make it a good leg workout. One of these days ill give it another shot.

[Furious E]

make sure youre not using the cross armed grip for front squats. use a grip like an olympic weightlifter would. you might lack the flexibility at first but it will come

[bgzee]

Originally posted by Furious E
make sure youre not using the cross armed grip for front squats. use a grip like an olympic weightlifter would. you might lack the flexibility at first but it will come

So I would hold it like I was about to military press it? Im not exactly sure how an olympic weightlifter would hold it.

[Heisman]

Originally posted by bgzee
So I would hold it like I was about to military press it? Im not exactly sure how an olympic weightlifter would hold it.

Then look here and download the videos.

http://f1.pg.briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/...ase.yahoo.com/

It took me only about 4 weeks for my wrists to become flexible enough to do them well.

[rent-a-lambo]

Ya gotta keep the elbows up as well, don't let 'em drop.

[MaxPunishment]

I don't have any problem with hack squats hurting my knees, but in regards to the rest of your legs workout I agree with some of the other guys in cutting out the machine extensions and presses. I would also try Stiff-Legged Deadlifts to blast your hamstrings every so often in substitution/addition to lunges.

[Overload]

Hack squats can be dangerous on the knees but I think they get a really bad rap. As long as your warmed up properly and your kness don't travel past your toes you shouldn't have problems.

I have a hack squat at home and do them after leg presses so my knees are warmed up. I make sure my feet are high on the platform and that way me knees don't travel past my toes. I can tell the difference when my stance is too low because my knees will travel past the toes and that does bother my knees.

I have the powertec compact sled which has a better angle on it than the traditional hack squat machines IMO. I think that helps take some stress off the knees. It's a cool little machine. Excellent for calf raises.

[FireKiller]

quit telling people it's dangerous unless you've already experienced them.

i'm doing hack squats right now and personally they dont hurt my knees in anyways and i dont think they are bad for your knees.

[rent-a-lambo]

Originally posted by FireKiller
quit telling people it's dangerous unless you've already experienced them.

i'm doing hack squats right now and personally they dont hurt my knees in anyways and i dont think they are bad for your knees.

What part of the movement DOESN'T put the knee under undue strain?????

[rent-a-lambo]

Or answer this. When does the load transfer to the hips???????????????. Hint....never.

[f34r]

You know you're not supposed to be doing squats anyway. Bob Chick said so

[Overload]

Originally posted by FireKiller
quit telling people it's dangerous unless you've already experienced them.

Are you talking to me? I have experienced the strain they can put on the knees when not done properly. I also don't think the exercise is as bad as many make it out to be. To each his own. If something hurts, obviously don't do it. Pretty simple.

[hyp3r3xt3nsion]

I still can't figure out why Poliquin likes hack squatting though :/

Originally posted by f34r
You know you're not supposed to be doing squats anyway. Bob Chick said so

lol

Originally posted by FireKiller
quit telling people it's dangerous unless you've already experienced them.

whatever

[Heisman]

Originally posted by hyp3r3xt3nsion
I still can't figure out why Poliquin likes hack squatting though :/

You hold Poliquin with too much esteem.

[hyp3r3xt3nsion]

Originally posted by Heisman
You hold Poliquin with too much esteem.

the damn commie bastard is now CHARGING to read those articles on his website

"Your annual investment will be $199.50."

[Heisman]

Originally posted by hyp3r3xt3nsion


the damn commie bastard is now CHARGING to read those articles on his website

"Your annual investment will be $199.50."

With people like you always treating him as a god, people will more than happily pay that much to increase their arm size one inch in one day.

[DerekB]

Squats are my favorite, and imo the best excericise for quads.

I also highly recommend you all get the Manta Ray shoulder peice for squating. Keep pressure off your shoulders and neck, keeps the pressure spread across your back, and keeps it from slipping. Is a must have imo, and costs only $36.

Manta Ray:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/adfit/manta.html

Sting Ray (if you do front squats):
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/adfit/sting.html

[rent-a-lambo]

Originally posted by hyp3r3xt3nsion


the damn commie bastard is now CHARGING to read those articles on his website

"Your annual investment will be $199.50."

The past year or so he's gotten a little goofy. The top NHL players still swear by him though.

[f34r]

Originally posted by rent-a-lambo
The past year or so he's gotten a little goofy.

Senility setting in?

[rent-a-lambo]

Originally posted by f34r
Senility setting in?

I dunno, but he's gone into some weird stuff.

[lucubration]

Originally posted by bgzee
I tried front squats once... and failed miserably. Kept slipping off my shoulders cuz i sweat a lot and workout without a shirt. Could hold much weight on there either... definatly not enough to make it a good leg workout. One of these days ill give it another shot.

haha. Yeah you have to wear a shirt to do f. squats.

[hyp3r3xt3nsion]

Originally posted by rent-a-lambo
I dunno, but he's gone into some weird stuff.

definately