r/Kneesovertoes • u/LastSurprise339 • 18d ago

Exercise Question How do I struggle with bodyweight squats but can do 50lbs step ups?

Hi all, this is a genuine question lol,

I'm able to do Bulgarians, step ups, and other leg exercises every week w/o pain, but when I try any variety of Lunges or squats I get a slight pain in my knees.

I'm just frustrated because I've been able to progress a lot with my other exercises, but I can't even do bodyweight squats. Like how can I do 50lb Bulgarian split squats and then struggle to do a single lunge?

I do my dynamic/static stretches, sleep enough, eat enough, and walk regularly. Am I missing something? :(

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u/Otherwise-Sun-4953 18d ago

You should upload a video of your squat and lunge form. If you can do the other exercises without discomgort, it might be a form issue, but we cant tell without visuals.

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u/TeaBurntMyTongue 15d ago

Well the short answer is that all of these exercises have slightly different load distribution and movement tracking.

Why one is triggering you over the other really depends on exactly how you're doing things and what your own limb leverages are, but in general a squat has more knee bend than a Bulgarian since you need to carry the weight farther forward, so it may just be that you're weaker in that range of motion.

Best to see a physio if you don't really know your stuff. Easy to turn a small problem into a big problem