That's why squats of the weightlifting variety are good - they build up the muscles in a heavily used area of all of our bodies. If done correctly they'd help every person on this board more than any other exercise.

Hi gentlemen ... My first post as the newbie ...

Speaking about knees ... I just completed my 2nd total knee ... Last year at this time was the right knee and now the left ...

Since I do HS as well as youth baseball I do know a little about exercise ...

From my PT who is also the trainer for a local HS and College:

While it is some what hard on the knees it works in the long run to do ball squats ...

Take a large ball (about 14") in diameter and set it between your back and the wall ...

Set your feet shoulder width ...

Squat into your call position and hold "twice" as long as it takes you to make a ball or strike call then stand up ...

Twice as long is the key as you are training your body to actually last longer than the game will take under normal circumstances ...

Note: do not over do it ... start with doing 2 innings and see how you feel ... NEVER over do it ... remember this is training ...

hope this helps you as it did me coming off my first knee replacement !!!

I've become a bit of an evangelist for Nerd Fitness: Helping You Lose Weight, Get Stronger, Live Better. .

It is chock full of nutrition and fitness advice and caters to a different demographic from the traditional health and fitness crowd. I really can't recommend it enough.

So what is the reason you had to have both knees replaced?

From all the studies I've read, squats done properly aren't bad for your knees and actually are good for the knees in that it strengthens a lot of the muscles around the knees. Now the issue will be actually getting proper form for squats which is the real danger.

There is more than one way to strengthen your quads, hamstrings, and gluts. I will never put a bar with free weights on the back of my neck.

Yes, there is a proper way to do squats that will lesson the wear and tear on your knees. Knees for the most part consist of ligaments, cartiledge, and bone.

I see people all the time doing the exercises improperly, or overworking a muscle for that matter. Doing four different exercises on the same muscle is counter-productive.

It doesn't matter what you say, the knee wasn't designed for the stress a person puts on them. The back isn't any better.

I work smarter, not harder.

I'm not arguing with you, I'm telling you why I'm right. Hear me now, believe me later. I'm not here to pump you up. It would benefit most if they would heed some of my fitness, and nutrional advice.

We'll just have to agree to disagree.

My umpire brain wasn't, either. :rolleyes:

JJ

Exercise regimes are like officiating mechanics:

Too many people think just because something works for them, it is the proper prescription for everybody else.

In the off season (Nov to late Jan for me), I watch lots of football and basketball, catch up on my winter yard work, and forget about baseball for the most part. In other words, I give my mind a rest.

Catcher growing up followed by a professional driver for 36 years finally took its toll ...

that and torn cartilage and meniscus and ACL tears in both knees from catching ... the driving just added to the joint break downs ...

That'll do it big time. Clutching a truck is hard on the knees. Some just don't understand.

That's why most truck drivers don't use the clutch except when starting.