Squats and Knee Wraps

[thachozenonebx]

I am cursed with the typical brotha genetics....big upper body, underwhelming lower body. So i am trying to get my squat game up. I used to rely on knee wraps for anything over 150lbs. I read somewhere that knee wraps can hinder your leg strength and you shud only use them when you are going SUPER heavy.

I dont squat super heavy but ever since i have ditched the wraps, slowly, the weight i can squat is starting to increase. and my legs are SLOWLY starting to take shape

How many of you guys wear knee wraps and do you buy into the theory that relying on them hinders quad strength?

[buster12]

What dorian said is that the knee strap compresses the cap. thus making the cap and joint grind against each other.( not sure though) I don't beleive in straps...

[thachozenonebx]

What dorian said is that the knee strap compresses the cap. thus making the cap and joint grind against each other.( not sure though) I don't beleive in straps...

cool avi buster
that makes sense altho i have no medical background
when i used wraps it seemed like my knees wud hurt..and im like...WTF?
it dont seem like these things are helping at all!!!!!!

[buster12]

lol. PJ Braun uses straps in an interesting way. He wraps it above the knee cap. Aparrently its alot safer. Hopefully he comes and chimes in on this thread to explain it further. thanx for the compliment on my avatar by the way. lol

[TPT]

What dorian said is that the knee strap compresses the cap. thus making the cap and joint grind against each other.( not sure though) I don't beleive in straps...

the strapping does in fact cause faulty mechanics during leg presses or squats. you'll notice when flexing your knee- your patella will track caudally in between the femur and tibia. once you extend the knee- the patella tracks upward because of the isotonic contraction of the quads. these descriptions are required for daily activities. now consider the load during an exercises such as squats with forces that deter tracking of the patella. the quadriceps would no contract or shorten correctly during extension because there is a counter force. i.e., the damn straps!

[TPT]

cool avi buster
that makes sense altho i have no medical background
when i used wraps it seemed like my knees wud hurt..and im like...WTF?
it dont seem like these things are helping at all!!!!!!

interesting to analyze how strapping became so conventional and widely accepted. i assume that strapping provides "comfort"- if you will. the femur and tibia are essentailly levers with the knee joint as a pivot point. in high load exercises such as heavy squats or leg presses the knee is say- the most "vulnerable" part mechanically. hence, it moves. if one restricts the joint by strapping or other supports such as orthoses, a greater load may be accomplished. thus, the consequence is greater "comfort."

[BigJD69]

I would wrap up on heavy days.

[Dr Pangloss]

What dorian said is that the knee strap compresses the cap. thus making the cap and joint grind against each other.( not sure though) I don't beleive in straps...

dorian has certainly used knee wraps. i can post a vid where he is.

[Dr Pangloss]

interesting to analyze how strapping became so conventional and widely accepted. i assume that strapping provides "comfort"- if you will. the femur and tibia are essentailly levers with the knee joint as a pivot point. in high load exercises such as heavy squats or leg presses the knee is say- the most "vulnerable" part mechanically. hence, it moves. if one restricts the joint by strapping or other supports such as orthoses, a greater load may be accomplished. thus, the consequence is greater "comfort."

Fred Hatfield recommends them but only at 70% of max and more. I frankly use them when i hit 315 or over on squats. my knees feel much better with them...

[buster12]

dorian has certainly used knee wraps. i can post a vid where he is.

yea, I know. I'm talking about now in his wiser age, he advises against them.

[Dr Pangloss]

interesting to analyze how strapping became so conventional and widely accepted. i assume that strapping provides "comfort"- if you will. the femur and tibia are essentailly levers with the knee joint as a pivot point. in high load exercises such as heavy squats or leg presses the knee is say- the most "vulnerable" part mechanically. hence, it moves. if one restricts the joint by strapping or other supports such as orthoses, a greater load may be accomplished. thus, the consequence is greater "comfort."

do you recommend them?

[anthony1992]

I don't use knee wraps unless I am going super heavy

[buster12]

I don't use knee wraps unless I am going super heavy

Not being disrespectful, but arn't you like 16? How heavy could you possibly go? lol

[anthony1992]

Not being disrespectful, but arn't you like 16? How heavy could you possibly go? lol

ya I'm 16, I just ment useing really heavy weight for me. I usualy squat about 265 for 8-10 reps so 290 would really heavy for me

[Dr Pangloss]

used to squat 495 (five plates) for 3 sets of 6. now ive narrowed my stance and put the bar much higher on my neck so its more like a 'dork' squat. now i use up to 3x455x6; i wrap when i hit 315.