strengthening the knees.

[red5angel]

I'm looking for some suggestions on some low impact ways to strengthen knees, especially the tendons. A Capoeiristas biggest complaint is the knees. Mine seem to be doing ok, but I'd like to cover myself by keeping them in the best shape I can.

So what would you do? How often?

[norther practitioner]

It's not the tendons, it's the muscles around the knee you want to worry about. quads, hammies, OK, lets just say total leg strength.

[IronFist]

Are your knees in good shape now? Barbell squats. Not smith-machine squats, not leg presses, but barbell squats. Have someone who knows how to do them teach you how. With the exception of the Olympic lifts, barbell squat is the most technically difficult lift there is so you want to make sure you're doing it right.

[Vash]

http://www.mercola.com/2004/jul/31/fear_the_squat2.htm

http://jumpusa.com/jumpersknees.htm

As an aside, I prefer the front and Zercher squats to back squats . . . mainly since I can't back squat anymore . . .

[IronFist]

Just don't do smith machine squats or leg presses. Curved back + leg pressing = injury (potentially), and at the least reinforces poor muscle movement.

If you're going to leg press, make sure your back is arched, or at least straight.

[Ford Prefect]

Deep squats will help. As will knee-extensions... I know I know. isolation is generally bad. Knee extension help strengthen the musculature around the knee though which takes load off connective tissue. There's a reason why most PT's have clients do them... Look into body flow as well. I hate Sonnon's advertising and most of his products, but this is one of his gems.

[Chief Fox]

Also, don't forget to stretch your quads and hamstrings. Tight im-balanced muscles can put a lot of pressure on the joint.

[red5angel]

ok, so squats and stretching, no problem, I can do that. Actually I've been doing squats for some time now so I'll just stick with it and not worry about it, thanks guys!