A warning for newbies

[46and2]

I started doing Rippetoe's Starting Strength 3 weeks ago. Everything was going good up until Sunday. I was doing squats, and I felt something in my right knee. It wasn't that bad, so the next day I did my HIIT. Well that did it. My knee and my hip are still hurting. It really hurts when I plant my foot and turn my leg. I tried doing a few burpees today, but no dice.

Here's the warning. Don't do squats in a smith machine. That's all my gym has. So once I get better, it's hack or dumbbell squats for me (and by extension, a new program since without real squats it's no longer Rippetoe. ). Also, make sure you have a knowledgeable person observe your form. I have tried to watch my form, but the squats were getting harder for me.

I'm not sure if it was the smith machine, bad form, or a horrible combination of the two that did it. So just play it safe. Don't use a smith, and use good form!

[superjarvo]

You'll find that most people who have bad knees from squatting are letting them buckle in when coming up. By not pushing the knees out, and letting them come in, you are putting most of the weight on your knees. Big NO NO!

I made that mistake at first and still have a few knee problems from it. They are getting better though since I learnt how to lift properly.

[homer1]

smith machines suck..

And yes, do squats with a free barbell for best results. I'm not sure about a knee injury because of the smith machine, but I dont doubt it. It's a completely predetermined range of motion. If you watch someone squat properly from the side, you'll see that the barbell isn't going straight up and down.