DaveSSS 

I used a Weider home gym for about 20 years. All the leg presses probably contributed to worn out knees in 2010, at age 57. I got two new knees in 2017 and returned to cycling in July of 2018. I've logged over 11,000 miles since then and continue on a 5,000+ yearly pace, like I used to do. I still have a 60lb bar for curls and military presses. No leg work now. I have finally gained the fitness needed to ride more of the many hills, out of the saddle, at a faster pace.

Carbonfiberboy 

Deep back squats are actually good for your knees, if properly performed. Like most athletic endeavors, form is everything:
https://wisconsinmedicalgroup.com/kn...y-from-squats/
https://www.verywellhealth.com/are-s...-knees-5094721
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4064719/
https://exerciseright.com.au/are-squ...or-your-knees/

All these posts and studies share one thing: deep squats performed properly with free weights are good for you and can in fact rehab one's knees. At 75, I'm still squatting, though now with dumbbells, gyms being closed, too bad. I also think that joint supplements are helpful, namely glucosamine sulfate and MSM. Also, avoid associating the use of NSAIDs like ibuprofen with exercise. Just don't do it.

The form tips in the first link above are right on. We had a world class powerlifter at our gym who loved to coach.

If one is just starting to squat, the best advice I've seen is to add weight after you can do 3 sets of 50 deep squats, ass to grass as they say, unweighted. When you add weight, do sets of 30 for a couple years.

WonderMonkey

I'll say that like a flat bench, they REVEAL issues that you have rather than cause them. Agreed on most of your points. There is some debate on small things, such as the depth of squat and such, but those are better spoken about over beverages.

If you know the world of weightlifting and especially years ago, Larry Pacifico has his stable of lifters at the gym I attend.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Pacifico

Cyclist0108

You should try lifting weights made from carbon fiber. They are the same size as conventional weights, but are much easier to lift.

LAJ

I like this a lot. I bet I can PR some stuff. Just don't tell my coach....

Hondo Gravel

I have a safety squat bar on the way in a few weeks. I never had issues back squatting. I知 just not a great squatter much better at bench press and deadlifting and generally the pulling exercises. Going to give the safety bar squat a go which will essentially be a front squat. Should hit the quads hard. Upgrading my garage gym and everything is on back order. I guess many people are putting together home gyms.

scottfsmith

It is great to read here what us post-50's are doing with weights. I have sciatica and did a year of PT (stretches, planks, band work, squats with no added weight, etc) which made things a lot better and feel I am now ready to start on some weights. I was going to do kettlebell since the movements are supposed to be good for sciatica. See for example https://kettlebellsworkouts.com/scia...ell-exercises/.

If anyone else has sciatica I'd be interested in what regimen you follow.

WonderMonkey

I've only watched people use the safety squat bar in the gym, but I do see people adjusting their stance to make it not quite so quad dominant. I don't know how it actually felt to them or if it was effective, but it looked reasonable.

Hondo Gravel

Finally the safety squat bar arrived. Haven’t worked out with it yet but squatted just the bar to get the feel. Since I workout solo I feel safer with this bar. I don’t want to mess up my back or spine.