Can’t Squat? Try This Instead For Stronger Legs
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This video is for anyone who finds squats painful or difficult, especially due to knee pain, and offers alternative leg-strengthening exercises. These exercises are low-impact and done lying down, making them joint-friendly:
Three ways
Will Harlow, the over-50s specialist physio, recommends:
- Straight leg raise: lie on your back, straighten one leg, flatten your lower back, pull your toes up, lift your leg until your thighs are parallel, and then lower slowly.
- Straight leg raise (advanced): same movement as above but adds a resistance band around both ankles for increased difficulty. One leg acts as an anchor while the other lifts against the band.
- Glute bridge: bend your knees, flatten your lower back, push from your heels, and lift your pelvis to form a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. Squeeze your glutes at the top; avoid over-arching your back.
For more on each of these (including how to make them easier/harder) plus visual demonstrations, enjoy:
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