Something to sub for squats for time being

perpetual_newb

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I tore my right medial meniscus a little while ago and have been on the road to recovery for the last few weeks. at my most recent appointment with the orthopedic surgeon, he gave me the go-ahead to start training again... except, "No deep squats. Not yet."

so what's a boy to do instead? I wanted to try out the 2-day split outlined in the FAQ, but what should I sub in for squats? from all my lurking, I have gathered that squats are pretty much the be-all and end-all of lifts, and that I won't get anywhere near the same results with an alternative lift... but I need something that'll tide me over 'til my knee is all healed up.

thanks!
 
Did the doc say anything about unilateral movements like BSS, Step-ups, or lunges.
 
basically, he doesn't want me flexing my knee near/past 90 degrees... which is convenient, because I haven't regained that much range of motion as of yet.

BSS is not an acronym I am familiar with... please expand.

I could see step-ups working... maybe not lunges.
 
BSS = Bulgarian Split Squats

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You could shorten the ROM if you cannot go past 90 degrees. The guy in the video is doing them off a step to extra ROM.
 
Thanks for the explanation/vid. I suppose I could just limit my ROM on that exercise, but then what would prevent me from limiting my ROM on regular squats? I seem to recall that this is a bad idea because a) it can lead to muscle imbalances and b) you will probably end up as someone's favourite idiot in the gym for only doing 1/4 - 1/3 squats.

what's a better option... doing limited ROM squats or substituting step-ups?
 
Thanks for the explanation/vid. I suppose I could just limit my ROM on that exercise, but then what would prevent me from limiting my ROM on regular squats? I seem to recall that this is a bad idea because a) it can lead to muscle imbalances and b) you will probably end up as someone's favourite idiot in the gym for only doing 1/4 - 1/3 squats.

what's a better option... doing limited ROM squats or substituting step-ups?

If you combine limited ROM squats with Posterior chain work like deadlift variants you should be OK until you get approval for full ROM.

EDIT: too avoid looking like the favourite gym idiot just walk in with crutches or something. No one will say a word.
 
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