I work out at home and I have an awesome amount of equipment. However, I recently have started experiencing some discomfort/slight pain while squatting. I have NEVER had knee issues of any persuasion in the past. I am afraid to move up in weights because of this. The only thing different about my leg routines these days is that I no longer have access to a Leg Extension machine. I wonder if this is the source of my knee troubles. Are there any exercises or warm-ups that you fellow hermanites would recommend to be able to continue my heavy squat journey in lieu of Leg extensions.

No I don't think its because you haven't been doing leg extensions. Make sure your knees track with the direction your toes are pointing when squatting. Also make sure your heel isn't coming off the ground either. It's hard to know exactly whats wrong with your knees on the internet.

Robert's (@ohawkey) is right. Hard to say online. Could you upload a video of you doing some squats for a form check?

Also, have you thought about trying some knee sleeves?

Thanks for the advice guys! I will definitely video next week's squats and post it. I have been squatting for almost 20 years so I didn't even think that possibly my form is bad but it very well could be. Imma check into sleeves too!

It also could simply be that it is to heavy for the knees. Your legs may be very able to handle the weight but the knees may not. Joints and bones are nothing to joke about, if they get permenantly damaged it can mean the end of doing certain exercises. Going lighter to the point where the knees dont hurt is definently the way to go.

Isn't there also a risk of the knee sleeves allowing you to do more damage? Their support making you think you can lift more than you can handle because it's not hurting?

Well...only if you went really really heavy, and I think you would know if you were doing serious damage. It's really a matter of knowing your own body, knowing what you can and can't handle.

I personally have never actually used knee sleeves, but I know they can be helpful.

As long as they are not too tight. It is just like using knee wraps. If you wrap too tight, you could cause the cartilage behind your kneecap to wear away which then creates a very painful situation. The sleeves/wraps are there to provide added stability but should not be seen as an option to allow one to use more weight than they can safely handle.

John