Runners Knee Question

[freedomtennis]

How do I strenghthen my quads with hurting my knees

[eeytennis]

Originally Posted by freedomtennis

I went the ortho and he told me that I had runners knee but mild. I can run for miles and jump almost 9.5 feet no pain(thank you God)! The only thing I cannot do is squat over 45 degrees. My inner quadriceps are very weak and my hamstrings are too strong. He told me to stretch my hamstrings and strengthen my quads.

Is it okay to use a leg press to strengthen my quads?

I wouldn't use a leg press just because the motions for a leg press are similar to a squat and you might injure yourself. Try leg extensions...they work only your quad muscles and will help to strengthen just the quads and not the hamstrings.

[freedomtennis]

Originally Posted by eeytennis

I wouldn't use a leg press just because the motions for a leg press are similar to a squat and you might injure yourself. Try leg extensions...they work only your quad muscles and will help to strengthen just the quads and not the hamstrings.

okay thanks

[OHBH]

Originally Posted by eeytennis

I wouldn't use a leg press just because the motions for a leg press are similar to a squat and you might injure yourself. Try leg extensions...they work only your quad muscles and will help to strengthen just the quads and not the hamstrings.

Also be sure to do some more functional moves to make sure the new muscle stays coordinated

[charliefedererer]

Do you live in area that has been hit by all the blizzards? The skating style of cross country skiing is great for building inner quad strength as you are pushing off from a wide based gait. Skating theoretically would do the same, but you have to skate really fast to really work those quads. But you can even mimic this motion with a wide based jump/run motion pushing off from the inside aspect of you feet. Sideways skipping along the baseline can also work the inner thigh muscles.
I remember Ano posting some studies this summer how leg press machines are worse for your hips than squats, but I'm not sure non-weightlifters just starting out might benefit from a little leg press work to get at some added quad strength.
Cycling is great cross training overall for your quads.