Knee braces...

My coach thinks that i should be wearing a knee brace(on both legs) when i weight train, i disagree cause i feel ok.  But it got my thinking, what happens if something did happen which the braces could have prevented.  So i was wondering if you guys/girls had any experiences with using high quality knee braces.  Thanks alot.

-Mike



Height:6'2
Weight:254
bf%-13.2
Age:17
Bench: 360
Squat: 475
Deadlift: 515
leg press: 965
**UPDATED:10/2/2005**

FYI: A peach a day, keeps the doctor away!

what happens if something did happen which the braces could have prevented

 
You'll feel like an idiot caus you didnt wear a brace.
 
Ive had a brace custom made for me after my knee operations. I used it for everything i did for about a year or so after the operations. I still occasionally use it now if my knee feels a bit funny or feels like its going to play up on the day. I havent really used it for squats and lunges (the 2 most dangerous exercises for knees) much. I have used it on the odd occasion.
 
I must say though, it provides stability and more importantly a psychological security knowing that your knee is protected to a certain degree.
 
Should you wear one? Well thats upto you really. If oyu have problems with your knee already, then it'll be a good idea to prevent further injury.
 
If you dont have any knee problems then you might not need to use it. A lot of people dont use it and they seem to do fine. the occasional few do hurt their knee but thats, more often than not, due to poor form or using weights that are way too heavy.
 
Bottom line: It wont hurt to use it. So if youre worried about your knee, better safe than sorry.

true, thanks for the advice.  I think i will get one, just to not feel like an idiot if it does happen.  Which im thinking that it will, not from discomfort but from my mental feelings. 

-Mike



Height:6'2
Weight:254
bf%-13.2
Age:17
Bench: 360
Squat: 475
Deadlift: 515
leg press: 965
**UPDATED:10/2/2005**

FYI: A peach a day, keeps the doctor away!

dude...
if you had surgery, use it. if not, dont use it. if it hurts when you dead squat or whatever it is, you have to use wider stance. do not follow shortie's stance, because theirs are shorter. go a wider stance.... youre 6'2....  and only 17? go easy on your knees, you didnt finish growing....take it from me, im 6'7 235 pounds. i tore my knee up a few years ago(had lower front knee cartilage rupture, "patella rupture") . i do run 20 miles on other days. but i now have shin splints because i ran too hard on my heels.)...  ouch ouch ouch, i walked 3 miles today anyway.....
however.... good fortunes :)
 
Brent