How to add mass to quads with bad knees?

[Flanex]

I can't be the only guy here with bad knees.They feel like they're bone on bone,grinding & popping with every movement.Squats are damn near impossible even with wraps & 3/4 range of motion.No lunges either,not even with just bodyweight.
Basically the only thing I can do for quads are legs extensions.I do high volume 10x10-12.I can do leg presses to an extent.On leg day which was today I basically work the shit out of my hamstrings,glutes & calves,while wincing in pain during the whole quad workout.I got a decent pump in my legs today but there's no way I can work my quads to total fatigue without killing my knees.

I take all the joint supps(Cissus,Glucosamine,Fish Oil),nothing works.Any tips?

 

[Montgomery]

That offer still stands man….$5 for your watch…….

 

[Flanex]

That offer still stands man….$5 for your watch…….

LOL I don't wear a watch

 

[Montgomery]

LOL I don't wear a watch

Me either…….I have a bad left knee had to back off cardio and legs in the past 3 weeks…not getting better either

 

[Flanex]

Me either…….I have a bad left knee had to back off cardio and legs in the past 3 weeks…not getting better either

Yea I have decent separation & vascularity in my quads but I don't see me getting any mass in them in my current situation.Shit even 2866 doesn't work for them & that works for everything else.

 

[Montgomery]

Yea I have decent separation & vascularity in my quads but I don't see me getting any mass in them in my current situation.Shit even 2866 doesn't work for them & that works for everything else.

Mine are ruined from caring 90 extra pounds around for 10 years….take a back pack and put 2 -45 pound plates in it and walk around for 10 years….

 

[cmb5017]

Leg press machine and hack squat machine..U won't look like Tom platts but I get decent growth

 

[Flanex]

Leg press machine and hack squat machine..U won't look like Tom platts but I get decent growth

Thanks cmb,I never thought about the hack squat machine.I'll give it a try.

 

[44YOGearHead]

I work the shit outta my hams. Light squats on Smith Machine. Gonna incorporate about 250-350 light extensions per recommendation from a bad ass female I know who does 1500. Legs are alright, but like you said these knees are holding them back. Hell I get aches in them for standing/walking too long.


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[Flanex]

I work the shit outta my hams. Light squats on Smith Machine. Gonna incorporate about 250-350 light extensions per recommendation from a bad ass female I know who does 1500. Legs are alright, but like you said these knees are holding them back. Hell I get aches in them for standing/walking too long.


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Holy shit 1500lb extensions??That's crazy!

 

[Montgomery]

Holy shit 1500lb extensions??That's crazy!

LOL!!!! gotta be reps

 

[44YOGearHead]

Lol reps bro reps.


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[44YOGearHead]

If I lift 1500lbs I'd literally poop myself


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[Montgomery]

If I lift 1500lbs I'd literally poop myself


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post pics if you do

 

[Flanex]

LOL!!!! gotta be reps

Lol reps bro reps.


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Oh okay.lol

 

[RickRock]

Go lighter with higher reps. You'll still get quite a bit of hypertrophy and the lighter workload should work well with your knee issues.

I don't have a problem with knees, but my lower back prevents me from doing squats heavy and I will do 20 plus rep sets with no more than 225

 

[Carmel cowboy]

I have knee issues and lower back issues! There is a huge benefit to leg extensions especially if it's an exercise that you can do with minimal pain! For me I have to go light with leg extensions and high reps! I agree with 44 on the high reps with leg extensions and a lot of studies are proving that. Here is one that you can read. I know you didn't write that you had acl repair but you can see the benefits to leg extension in this study.
https://www.researchgate.net/profil..._sports_A_/links/54ddfdfd0cf23bf204396065.pdf

 

[Buggy2hot]

post pics if you do

Got me cracking up already. That's a shit load of extensions, literally.


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[Thefederal]

Bro... mine hurt too. I just recently started using aspercream on them in the morning. That shit works. Also taking glucosamine and staying hydrated. Sometimes I inject straight castor oil into the joint to lube it up. (Jk with the last one) give the aspercream a shot. Shits cheap. Just takes the real PAIN away, but it's not gonna fix anything

 

[Thefederal]

Also.. ive found the more I'm working on my hamstrings, the bigger my quads look and feel. Try putting more emphasis on hams and only do a couple exercises for quads