I ran into a problem with my workout routine lately. I've been using weight machines to help tone & increase strength. I've maxed out several machines, including bench press, leg press, seated row and roman chair machines, all of which I found adequate replacements for in free weights, so they aren't a problem. The problem is that I've maxed out the leg extension and leg curl machine, and the YMCA where I work out just doesn't have the leg extension/curl machine, so there aren't any free weight replacement solutions for these exercises available to me.
I decided to try increasing the number of reps from 20 to 30, which seems to have helped some (e.g. - a little muscle tenderness the day after - not a lot, but some), but this has introduced a new issue. My knees are sore.
Keep in mind that several years ago I tore the cartilage and ACL in both of my knees (in separate incidents, even!). The suggested regimen to support the knee after surgery included both of these exercises, so I can't tell if its related or not. All I can tell is that it FELT like I wrenched both my knees. It didn't happen at the same time, though. My left knee was sore for two days after the workout, and today my right knee is sore even though it hasn't been bothering me until today. I suspect that the right knee soreness MAY be from compensating for the left knee soreness, but the whole knee-pain thing SUCKS!
