Dumbbell squats: Knee damage?

[NiGHTSfan]

Hi,

I've just bought a set of dumbbells (I'm a beginner at lifting weights: just sorting out my exercises and nutrition), and have been doing exercises with not many problems, except when doing squats holding my dumbbells (see http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/exer...umbbell+Squat).

The thing is, I hear my knees clicking when my thighs are about parallel to the floor (or below), and I'm worrying about damaging my knees doing this exercise.

Does anyone know if it's my technique? Or does this always happen when you do this exercise? And generally, are squats hard on your knees? (I've seen Olympic weightlifters that lift with supports on their knees, I think.)

[magicdad]

Have you had knee trouble in the past? Any operations, injuries...? If not, it could be that your knees simply aren't used to being worked like that. Start with light weights until your knees get used to the exercise, then work up to the heavier, muscle building weights. As you know, squats are a great exercise, so don't rush into anything that will prevent you from doing them.

Of course if you think there still might be a problem with your knees then you should have a doctor check them out. Good luck.

[Ibanez]

Clicking? Hmm, depends, it could be nothing or indicating something more. Since you are new just make sure to get the right movement pattern down.

Squats are fine for your knees as long as you do them right.

[papi93]

Hi,

I've just bought a set of dumbbells (I'm a beginner at lifting weights: just sorting out my exercises and nutrition), and have been doing exercises with not many problems, except when doing squats holding my dumbbells (see http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/exer...umbbell+Squat).

The thing is, I hear my knees clicking when my thighs are about parallel to the floor (or below), and I'm worrying about damaging my knees doing this exercise.

Does anyone know if it's my technique? Or does this always happen when you do this exercise? And generally, are squats hard on your knees? (I've seen Olympic weightlifters that lift with supports on their knees, I think.)

Is there pain with the clicking?

[Leathalx]

hmm could be just your joints not being used to this. I remember having clicking in my fore arms when I was doing wrist curls, it was quite awkward. but after a few weeks it stoped.

But definetly start out light, and get your form right, its so important to staying injureless and moving up in weight later on. Also try looking into a barbell for squats, it must be awkward squating with dumbells especially at heavier weights.

And if the problem does percist or even get a bit worse defo see a doctor.

[Tyciol]

It might just be air in the joints. Do you have this problem with other weighted leg or squat movements?

Generally I find pain to be a better guideline for stopping than noise, unless it is excessively unusual.

[shanetrain1973]

Hi,

I've just bought a set of dumbbells (I'm a beginner at lifting weights: just sorting out my exercises and nutrition), and have been doing exercises with not many problems, except when doing squats holding my dumbbells (see http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/exer...umbbell+Squat).

The thing is, I hear my knees clicking when my thighs are about parallel to the floor (or below), and I'm worrying about damaging my knees doing this exercise.

Does anyone know if it's my technique? Or does this always happen when you do this exercise? And generally, are squats hard on your knees? (I've seen Olympic weightlifters that lift with supports on their knees, I think.)

I've gotten bad knees from working on concrete warehouse floors and jumping on and off a forktrucks for years. I just bought a couple knee stabilizers from Wal*Mart and put them on to squat. Totally cured the aching (during and after) and crunching sounds. Only cost me $15 and now I don't avoid squatting like the plague!

[NiGHTSfan]

No pain, thankfully, no. : ) Just felt a bit like I was putting pressure on them. I'm trying to copy the form shown in the video (going down gradually, keeping back straight). I'll try taking some cod liver oil and see if that helps too; it's probably nothing (just was worrying that the exercise itself might be bad for your knees normally - but if it's ok, that's cool.). Thanks (everyone) for your help! Will get back to some weightlifting. :-)