Whats a good substitute for the squat?

[vikingsrule92]

My docter just told me today that I am unable to squat because of a dispositioned kneecap which can't really be fixed. He says the most I could do is a squat about 30 degrees above parallel (yeah real effective). Is there any sort of excercise (besides deadlift) that works the quads nearly as effective as the squat?

[W8isGR8]

no

[New_Kid]

I can't think of anything.. not just because I think squats are great, but because I can't imagine an effective quad exercise that doesn't place stress on the knees.

[vikingsrule92]

Will deadlifts do it? doc says I can do those because my kneecaps don't get as stressed and it won't affect my knees as much because you don't go past parallel.

[RU4A69]

Will deadlifts do it? doc says I can do those because my kneecaps don't get as stressed and it won't affect my knees as much because you don't go past parallel.

Trap bar deads don't stress the knees.

Regular deads don't hit the quads hard enough.

Nothing truly replaces squats.

[HawkLifter55]

Yeah, My doctor told me the same thing. I've actually had knee reconstrutcion, realigned the kneecap wtih the lower leg, huge "extra" kneecap where they had to break my led and move the leg over and then screw it all back together and then that spot calcified over. He told me I wouldnt ever be able to squat again too..Today my last set of squats was 275x5 (ATG) Sometimes you just gotta try things out and if they work, go with it.

Even if you can just do 30 degree squat, do it, it's better then no squat at all.

[vikingsrule92]

Trap bar deads don't stress the knees.

Regular deads don't hit the quads hard enough.

Nothing truly replaces squats.

Thanks. is it worth it to buy $120 trap bar? I know nothing replaces squats I was just asking if something would do the job good enough so that my quads are getting some work.

[Doctor-Deadlift]

As most of the guys said, there is nothing that really can replace the effect of the quads, or that has such a great building effect it has. A good bodybuilder will always find something, even if it isn't as good to help him/herself. You may never find a replacement as good, but the best bodybuilders have always worked around their adveristies and had to adapt to their environments. It's the same in life in general, deal with it. If that means having to do Leg raises, and a bunch of other leg exercises, so be it.

[AccountantGuy]

My docter just told me today that I am unable to squat because of a dispositioned kneecap which can't really be fixed. He says the most I could do is a squat about 30 degrees above parallel (yeah real effective). Is there any sort of excercise (besides deadlift) that works the quads nearly as effective as the squat?

front squat

[unclejeff]

only thing that comes close is your 30 degree squat, just do that.

[vikingsrule92]

Thanks a lot guys.

[HoosierBoy]

only thing that comes close is your 30 degree squat, just do that.

Muscle imbalance, here he comes.

[vikingsrule92]

Muscle imbalance, here he comes.

Explain what you mean because I haven't heard anything about that. Do you mean my quads will be smaller than the rest of my body?

[vision1]

front squat

Front squats place even more stress on the knee, how do you expect him to do these?

To OP: I'd do partial Squats (Back or Front), and Step ups (on a lower box) + Deadlifts, GMs, RDLs, Back Extensions, etc.

EDIT: You could also probably try stuff like sled dragging, farmers walks, etc. Stuff that works overall lower body (more like fullbody), with out to much knee bend.

[RU4A69]

Thanks. is it worth it to buy $120 trap bar? I know nothing replaces squats I was just asking if something would do the job good enough so that my quads are getting some work.

If I didn't have a trap bar, and there was only one left in the world that cost $15,000, I would get a loan from the bank and buy it without hesitation.

[Guardian]

My docter just told me today that I am unable to squat because of a dispositioned kneecap which can't really be fixed. He says the most I could do is a squat about 30 degrees above parallel (yeah real effective). Is there any sort of excercise (besides deadlift) that works the quads nearly as effective as the squat?

Pre exhaust quads with l;eg extension and proceeed to leg press, worked for yates.

[farmerlee]

Do deadlifts instead.