I am very sad to say I have to cut my squat challenge short. My knees have been killing me for the past 3-4 days. They hurt just sitting here. I don’t want to compromise my physical health just to complete this challenge. I am really disappointed I won’t be able to complete it but my health is more important than anything else. I am striving for a health lifestyle and doing so many squats is hurting my knees. I’m not sure if its the amount of squats, if I am not doing them properly (which I am pretty sure I am), if my weight is too much for the high number of squats or a combination of all of them. I still plan to do squats once I give my knees time to get better. I just won’t be doing such high numbers. I feel comfortable doing 50 squats a day. Sorry to guys for being unable to finish this challenge. I’m really bummed about it 😦
Ending the 30 Day Squat Challenge
June 15, 2013
Becoming the Best Me 
Comments on: "Ending the 30 Day Squat Challenge" (20)
Aw I will finish for you!!! I have been finding it harder now that I am over 100. I love a challenge though so I will keep trying! I think even making it to 50 is great. Good Job!
Thanks! I am pretty upset I am unable to finish it. I love a challenge too and when I say I’m going to do something, I am determined to finish it. I just wasn’t expecting my knees to hurt quite so much and I don’t want to make it worse. I am already doing the BeFit in 90 and walking with my family when I can. I guess the squat challenge was just too much too soon. I’ve only been working out for two and a half months. I guess my body wasn’t prepared to do it. I’m really disappointed. Good luck finishing! I’ll be cheering you on!
Thanks! It is so much harder over 100. I think it was pretty good until I went over 100. Then my body was like “nope. I’m not doing it” LOL
That pic is funny! Doing 50 squats a day is very good, still. You did great! There’s always round two.
Thanks! I know 50 squats is still great. Now I just have to wait for my knees to feel a bit better before I can start doing them LOL
Good instinct. Your determination is a virtue, but training the muscles requires recovery time. Some programs and challenges are not based on sound personal training principles, and others are. Some do not take into account each individual, and his or her needs. That is not your fault. Wait until your muscle soreness dissipates after hard muscle work and before taxing the same muscles again. Overtraining is not good for your muscles.
I agree. This challenges taught me a love of squats but too many reps isn’t a smart idea for me. Thanks for the advice!
I feel your pain. I have had a lot of fitness challenges cut short due to my knees :-\ I’m currently doing the Mean Abs June challenge and a 30 day plank challenge (explained on my blog, Life of a Night Owl) and it’s been quite gentle on my knees. I also have a ton of fitness challenges posted on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LifeOfANightOwl) if you’re interested in trying something new!! Hope your knees feel better!
Cool! I’ll be checking out your blog and facebook page 😀
Your decision is sound… I think doing fifty if you have pain could be too much… We only get one set of knees and as we age I can’t tell you the number of people I’ve met who are having them replaced… Finding a variety of all over body moves instead of over focusing on one may be a better way to go…Godd Luck, your determination will carry you through!
I am waiting until after my knees stop hurting before I begin doing the 50 squats. LOL I have a fitness program that I do called BeFit in 90. It works all the muscle groups. I love it. I was just doing the squat challenge as an extra workout. Thank you
Good to hear you are cooling it til the pain goes away! good luck!
Thanks!
Awwww, dont be too bummed about it. Squats can be hard on the knees. Sounds like you might have been allowing your knees to go over your ankles at times. This will even happen to me if I dont do them slow. And you also need to direct the upwards motion from your heels, which can be hard as well.
I think 50 squats is an awesome amount! Give your knees time to rest.alieve or ibuprofen is best and elevate them above your heart. (.lie down on couch and rest legs on back) ice will help as well.
I know I was directing the weight through my heels. I do think I was letting my knees to go over my ankles when I was getting to the higher numbers. Thanks for the advice! Now to find the ibuprofen LOL
Tendons and ligaments tend to get stronger with higher weight and lower reps (also, require more recovery time to heal), so even though your muscles might be growing rapidly enough to enable you to do more squats, your tendons and ligaments probably weren’t – thus, knee pain. This is a good reason to try advancing your squats by upping the weight, rather than the reps.
Good call to take a break.
Thanks for the advice! I think I’ll be taking your advice and doing lower reps with weights than high reps without. I will let my knees feel better first and then take your advice 😀
[…] week but its had its down moments. I had to stop doing the 30 Day Squat Challenge as you can read here because of the pain in my knees. I was really disappointed but I’ve had some great support from […]
Listen to MikeW, I was going to say the same thing.
I plan to! Thanks 😀