Leaning forward when doing squats

[DORKtoDIVA]

I know you're not supposed to lean forward when doing squats. However, the arthritis in my knees is making it very difficult for me to do any strength training with my lower body. (I might make a seperate post next about my issues with leg curls). Even if I'm HOLDING ON to something, I can barely straighten up after squatting due to my knees.

I have recently figured out that I can do squats without holding on if I lean forward. So I'm trying to figure out if leaning forward is "cheating" - which I'm totally ok with - or if it could injure me for some reason.

I'm cool with "cheating" because boy, I can still feel it in my legs when I lean forward, and now I have a place to start from (as opposed to simply being unable to do squats, period).

[5kgLifter]

When you say "leaning forward", what do you mean? I can't fully visualise whether you mean upper body over the thighs, or just knees beyond toes...

[DORKtoDIVA]

Upper body over thighs. So I'm kind of folding mysel up a bit.

[5kgLifter]

Originally Posted by DORKtoDIVA

Upper body over thighs. So I'm kind of folding mysel up a bit.

That sounds like you are doing the exercise named "Good mornings" I'm not sure whether they are a back exercise, check out the description here:

http://www.angelfire.com/tx/APATX/ar...dmornings.html

I'm not sure which muscle group these target, it may not be the quads, or at least not primarily...however, take heart because I believe I read somewhere that the deadlifts also use the quads to a degree (although don't quote me on that), so you may be able to kill 2 birds with one stone.

Can you use an aerobic step? That uses the quads, with every step up onto the stepper; I know it's certainly been the backbone of my quads routine. Set at it's intermediate height, or it's full height (only if knees allow)...but it does work the quads, and you get your cardio at the same time

[Trusylver]

Do have to ability to post a video of your form ?

it sound a little like your squat form is similar to a powerlifting squat
http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...s/BBSquat.html
which is better for your knees and puts more emphasis on the glutes and less on the quads. It is important to have good hip and ankle flexibility.

having a wider foot position will take more of the preasure off your knees

Squat analysis with modifications for weak joints
http://www.exrx.net/Kinesiology/Squats.html

Goodmornings are an exercise for the Erector Spinae (lower back)

http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...odMorning.html

[DORKtoDIVA]

Yes, I think that video shows how I do it! I hadn't seen any images showing how to do it, only written descriptions. They all - including this page - emphasize keeping the back straight. I thought it meant straight as in perpendicular to the floor. But this video shows this guy leaning forward like I do.

I cannot squat as low as that guy, my knees are just ABOVE parallel to the floor, but, hey, I'm working on it. So, yeah, I kind of stick my butt out and I can do it that way.

I guess it makes sense that my modification, if you call it that, would result in targeting different muscles. It's an awesome workout anyway, I really feel it. I'm a dork, so I'm not doing this with major weight (26 pounds) but it seems to be really giving me some progress.

Thanks!