Training legs with bad knees?

Is it still possible to train legs with bad/weak knees? Every time I do squats or go heavier with my leg extensions my knees ache. I have since stopped traing legs and now I look like a serving tray. Help....

I have the same problem. What I do these days is single leg split squats. What amazes me about them is that I can't do even close to half the weight I can squat with them, even though it would stand to reason that each leg can do half the squat poundage. FWIW I can single leg hamstring curl more than half of what I can do with both legs.

I hear box squats are helpful when you have knee problems. Of course, its a no brainer that leg extensions are bad for your knees in the first place so I don't know why you're doing them. I never grew any when I didn't know any better than to do them.

[QUOTE=ram_6000000;209152141]Is it still possible to train legs with bad/weak knees? Every time I do squats or go heavier with my leg extensions my knees ache. I have since stopped traing legs and now I look like a serving tray. Help....[/QUOTE]

I'm recovering from a knee injury and I have been doing leg presses and hack squats (on a machine at 40 degree angle). This has worked well for me for so far. I would drop the leg extensions though. They put way too much stress on the knees. If you had good knees you'd probably be okay to do them. Nothing wrong with squats as long as you can do them without pain. If you're not taking glucosamine and fish oil you should start. They will definately help.

Get rid of the leg extensions

You need to find out why you have sore knees. Is it technique related, muscle imbalance/weakness, genetic predisposition, etc...

Leg press & split squats are both great suggestions.

Everyone rips on extensions but what most people fail to realize is it's not the actual excersise itself per say, but rather the way you go about it. Extensions should be done at the end of a leg workout with LIGHT weight and high reps. Leave the heavy weights to squats and presses etc...

Thanks guys for all the insight, I appreciate it. I may also start adding the glucosamine combo. I already eat fish just about every other day so would extra fish oil be overkill?