So I recently read an online article on Men's Health about machines that are more harmful than helpful. Instead, the problem is usually in application. Leg extensions as noted above are great if you go light and high rep and use them to simply bring out the quads and tighten the knee from the front. 5. The crazy thing about the above answer is that Brad says that leg extensions are clearly dangerous, as the research shows, that they caused increased shear forces at the knee, an increased ACL strain and, are not as safe as closed chain exercises but, if you have a healthy joint and do them properly he sees no “increased risk”. Leg extensions are done on a leg extension machine. Squats were supposed to be bad for the knees. Raise the weight with your legs until they are pointing straight out in … Please read and follow the rules of every single exercise you do, and if you are still not certain, ask a Professional for help. Leg extensions aren't necessarily bad. You can wear an elastic band on the thighs to make the exercise more challenging. Air squats are one of my favorites now as I get a good leg workout along with continued cardiovascular conditioning. Warm-up Exercise Leg Extensions. Strength coaches say they will cause your knees to explode and cripple you. One word of caution though. In natural motions, such as squats and lunges, there is very shearing force on the knee. On the contrary leg extensions are actually one of the safer exercises you can do if you have bad knees. Then you use your … Never start a 400 pound leg press without warming up with lighter weights first. Functional Benefits of the Lying Leg Curl and Seated Hip Adduction Exercise. The bottom part of the Leg Extension is where the Shear Force is the greatest. There is rarely such a thing as a bad exercise. Not going light will chop up the meniscus at lock out and cause tracking issues etc.. Leg extensions are often slammed as being “bad for your knees” or “useless for building muscle.” While they certainly have the potential to be bad for your knees if they’re not done properly, they’re also a very useful way to develop your quads. The key muscles you’ll use in a leg extension are, of course, the quadriceps.They extend the knee, but they’re also essential for movement in the hips. Not to mention squats, lunges, split squats, leg press, and other compound lifts work your quads better. The only time I completely agree that Leg Extensions are bad, is when ego lifting takes over rational, and people start loading up more weight than what can be handled. “Leg extensions are bad because they place too much stress on your knees.” This statement, or some iteration of it, is a common argument against the use of leg extensions, but how are the purveyors of this sentiment defining “stress” in this scenario? But are leg extensions really bad? Doctors usually advise against machine leg extensions when someone has knee problems, but seated leg extensions are totally safe. I imagine they don’t know. I may knock out two or three sets of leg extensions for 15-20 repetitions and then immediately go to either the leg press or the smith machine to knock out leg presses or light squats. I think squats can be worst for your knees if done with bad form - locking out & bouncing the weight at the top & bottom, relying on momentum and not having a stable base. Stress can be calculated by dividing force by area. Answered by Dr. Peter Ihle: It depends on what U: … They don't build as much mass as squats, but squats can be extremely painful if you have bad knees. The rectus femoris is a muscle in the quadriceps that also flexes the hip – making it a bit more complicated than just moving your knee. Never squat 200 - 300 pounds without doing some warm-up sets first. Even outside of rehab, many people will be able to … This causes shearing forces on the knees, which means the force is … Actually, no. For example, no studies have documented people tearing ligaments while doing leg extensions, and while knee pain is a risk with all lower body activities, it can be avoided on leg extensions by limiting the motion to the very last 20 degrees of knee extension. I’m very excited to bring you today’s interview revealing the TRUTH About Leg Extensions with Fitness Pro, National Presenter and Author of 7 fitness books: Brad Schoenfeld. They are usually performed using a leg-extension machine, where you sit on a chair and lift a weight bar using your quadriceps muscle. Yes, leg extensions are bad for your knee and ACL. and what machines to avoid in gym as not to increase knee pain ?" Squats, leg extensions, hamstring curls & calf raises. This results into ripped muscles and tendons. 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