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can't squat, need some sort of exercise solution

post #1 of 20
7/12/09 at 2:21am
Thread Starter 
hey guys,

i decided to bulk this summer and i've been on the grind again for a little while now, but my workouts aren't going as well as i'd hoped. the reason: i can't do squats.

i am a believer in deadlifts and squats, and i would do both if i could but i can't do squats.

i had surgery on my left foot when i was an infant and i don't have full range of motion in that foot. when bending down with the knees, so i can't go low enough to make squats worthwhile because my foot doesn't flex. whats worse is that i also have chronic knee issues because my kneecaps did not form properly while i was in the womb. i suffer from a very rare knee condition ;/.

in a perfect world i'd just rip squats and eat like a dog and i'd be set.

i want to work my legs but squats aren't possible. what are some decent substitutions that i could look into? i know you can't really replace the squat but even if i can find something that's half as good and i can actually perform the exercise with good form, i'll take that.

thanks!
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post #2 of 20
7/12/09 at 2:28am
What are your goals, just to get big? Are you deadlifting?
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post #3 of 20
7/12/09 at 2:31am
Even though I like to squat, hack squat, and leg press, I find that lunges terrify me the most, especially the kind where you grab fairly heavy dumbells and walk across the floor from the oppositte end back all the while with the one knee touching the ground at each step. It does something to the legs I don't get from anything else and I really dislike it, but I do it.

Don't know how those would affect your physical problems though.
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post #4 of 20
7/12/09 at 2:56am
Thread Starter 
@gradstudent78 -- my goals are to gain mass. i'm about 132lbs right now at 5'9 so i'm rather slim. not sickly skinny, but still skinny. my bmr is 1600, my total need is like 2400 and i've been eating between 3,000-3,300 every day. just taking it nice and slow, working out every other day. i am deadlifting.
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post #5 of 20
7/12/09 at 3:08am
Can you do a lunge? How far down can you make it if you try and squat?
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post #6 of 20
7/12/09 at 3:10am
Thread Starter 
not far at all with a squat. my right leg is fine, my knee hurts but it's managable. the left foot doesn't bend much. my left foot pretty much stays at a right angle, LOL. it bends enough for me to talk correctly though. can't run on it though between the foot and my knees. lunges are a possibilty ill have to check it out
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post #7 of 20
7/12/09 at 3:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rjakapeanut View Post
not far at all with a squat. my right leg is fine, my knee hurts but it's managable. the left foot doesn't bend much. my left foot pretty much stays at a right angle, LOL. it bends enough for me to talk correctly though. can't run on it though between the foot and my knees.

lunges are a possibilty ill have to check it out

can you do a split squat:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_Q8FKO7Ueg

Edit, I'm guessing probably not because of the ankle flexibility issue

I'd see what you can do with normal lunges...
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post #8 of 20
7/12/09 at 3:27am
Thread Starter 
hey i probably could do those, i'm going to try it out. thanks!
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post #9 of 20
7/12/09 at 8:40am
Good Mornings.

When you say 'my foot doesn't flex' I'm assuming you mean your knee won't move far enough over the front of the foot?
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post #10 of 20
7/13/09 at 3:03am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by why View Post
Good Mornings.

When you say 'my foot doesn't flex' I'm assuming you mean your knee won't move far enough over the front of the foot?

right. i have no flexibility in my foot, it basically stays straight.
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post #11 of 20
7/13/09 at 3:27am
^ At the ankle joint, you mean?
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post #12 of 20
7/13/09 at 6:44am
Why would you want to squat anyway?! OMG Don't you know they'll destroy your back and kneez?! Here's a smart blogger who will convince you against it:

http://www.train2move.com/2009/07/08...e-i-have-seen/
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post #13 of 20
7/13/09 at 12:32pm
Have you tried any of the various leg press machines to see if one works for you?
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post #14 of 20
7/13/09 at 6:49pm
Leg press produces what I like to call 'machine body'. It largely just stresses the quadriceps and an imbalance between leg extensor:hip extensor strength (or quad:hamstring largely) and produces some weird joint imbalances (ever see an old-school bodybuilder's running gait?). Exercise solution: It depends on goals. My personal bias is toward Good Mornings.
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post #15 of 20
7/13/09 at 7:59pm
+1 on good mornings. They're not the greatest exercise but how about leg extensions for quads?
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