--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Squats don't hurt your knees; what you…" description: "\"Squats don't hurt your knees; what you are doing hurts your knees.\" — Dan John" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ede/dan-john-12860_exercise_squats-don-t-hurt-your-knees-what-you-ar_542545.jpg" --- # Squats don't hurt your knees; what you are doing hurts… ![“Squats don't hurt your knees; what you are doing hurts your knees.” quote by Dan John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ede/dan-john-12860_exercise_squats-don-t-hurt-your-knees-what-you-ar_542545.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ede/dan-john-12860_exercise_squats-don-t-hurt-your-knees-what-you-ar_542545.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ede/dan-john-12860_exercise_squats-don-t-hurt-your-knees-what-you-ar_542545.jpg) > “Squats don't hurt your knees; what you are doing hurts your knees.” [Dan John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-john/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Squats are safe for knees; improper technique or other exercises cause knee pain. **In simple terms:** Squats don’t hurt knees; bad form does. Key Takeaway Focus on proper form to protect knees. Themes fitness injury prevention exercise technique Mood cautious motivational Type advice instructional When to use this quote - gym workouts - rehab - personal training Key Concepts biomechanics muscle activation Questions to Reflect On - Are you using correct form? - What alternatives can protect your knees? A Different Perspective If you have existing knee issues, squats may still be risky. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Exercise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exercise/) ## Related quotes > [Things hurt me now. My knees hurt, my back hurts. But your head still thinks it's twenty-three.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-clooney/things-hurt-me-now-my-knees-hurt-my-back-hurts-but-your-head-still/) [George Clooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-clooney/) > [“Here’s a great home workout that allows you to train and work on the usual issues I find ailing most people: • Right-leg Bulgarian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-john/here-s-a-great-home-workout-that-allows-you-to-train-and-work-on-the/) [Dan John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-john/) > [People don't like squats, but it's an essential exercise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-froning-jr/people-don-t-like-squats-but-it-s-an-essential-exercise/) [Rich Froning Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-froning-jr/) > [We never did a lot of weights, but a lot of repetitions. The most I would use doing squats was 300 pounds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-heiden/we-never-did-a-lot-of-weights-but-a-lot-of-repetitions-the-most-i/) [Eric Heiden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-heiden/) > [Not only do squats build muscle in the quadriceps, hamstrings and calves, they also allow for the release of testosterone and growth hormone providing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabe-kapler/not-only-do-squats-build-muscle-in-the-quadriceps-hamstrings-and/) [Gabe Kapler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabe-kapler/) > [Lots of weight training, squats, a little bit of cardio, but mostly just adding more weights into my workouts. And working out with friends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elsa-hosk/lots-of-weight-training-squats-a-little-bit-of-cardio-but-mostly-just/) [Elsa Hosk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elsa-hosk/) > [I do a lot of squats, I do a lot of bench pressing. But legs are very important for me. It's more important than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-ovechkin/i-do-a-lot-of-squats-i-do-a-lot-of-bench-pressing-but-legs-are-very/) [Alexander Ovechkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-ovechkin/) > [“muscles. Narrow squats place more emphasis on the quadriceps.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-kavadlo/muscles-narrow-squats-place-more-emphasis-on-the-quadriceps/) Danny Kavadlo > [I always find ways to work out in my hotel room. I turn the heat up so I can sweat more, and I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uriah-hall/i-always-find-ways-to-work-out-in-my-hotel-room-i-turn-the-heat-up-so/) [Uriah Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uriah-hall/) > [I work barefooted on balance plates. I do explosive squats on balance surfaces that your body has to use muscles it's not used to.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-polamalu/i-work-barefooted-on-balance-plates-i-do-explosive-squats-on-balance/) [Troy Polamalu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-polamalu/) > [I like squats because they help build that foundation of strength. I do tons of single-leg moves for strength and balance because they let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-darnold/i-like-squats-because-they-help-build-that-foundation-of-strength-i/) [Sam Darnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-darnold/) > [I love doing air squats or jump squats, push-ups, jumping jacks, burpees, crunches - all the basic stuff, but it's all you need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-cameron-bure/i-love-doing-air-squats-or-jump-squats-push-ups-jumping-jacks-burpees/) [Candace Cameron Bure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-cameron-bure/) > [When you weight train, take your ego out of the equation. If you pick up a giant rack and start squatting, you can throw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/when-you-weight-train-take-your-ego-out-of-the-equation-if-you-pick/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [People must at least do basic squats, yoga and surya namaskar every day to keep their mind and body fit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhea-chakraborty/people-must-at-least-do-basic-squats-yoga-and-surya-namaskar-every/) [Rhea Chakraborty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhea-chakraborty/) > [Squats and hang cleans. I love them. You can just feel yourself getting bigger and better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-fitzpatrick/squats-and-hang-cleans-i-love-them-you-can-just-feel-yourself-getting/) [Ryan Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-fitzpatrick/) ## More by Dan John > [If you're spending so much time at the gym that your mail is forwarded there, you're not dedicated - you've got a mental disorder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-john/if-you-re-spending-so-much-time-at-the-gym-that-your-mail-is/) [Dan John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-john/) > [“we always seem to want what we can’t have and, if we can have it, we want something else!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-john/we-always-seem-to-want-what-we-can-t-have-and-if-we-can-have-it-we/) [Dan John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-john/) > [Without challenges, the human body will soften. We thrive when we push our boundaries, reach goals, and blast personal records. We perform better, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-john/without-challenges-the-human-body-will-soften-we-thrive-when-we-push/) [Dan John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-john/) > [There is a price you pay if you want to train military personnel - they don't all come back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-john/there-is-a-price-you-pay-if-you-want-to-train-military-personnel-they/) [Dan John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-john/) > [“warned them of getting buttonholed in a job that stopped them from exploring all the directions that life presented”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-john/warned-them-of-getting-buttonholed-in-a-job-that-stopped-them-from/) [Dan John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-john/) > [The 9th grade was the best three years of my life. I was benching 85 lbs, drug free!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-john/the-9th-grade-was-the-best-three-years-of-my-life-i-was-benching-85/) [Dan John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-john/) > [“Embrace lousy days. I’ve learned to remind myself easy days are part of the deal, and a great day is just around the corner.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-john/embrace-lousy-days-i-ve-learned-to-remind-myself-easy-days-are-part/) [Dan John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-john/) > [“and graze ourselves up to a nice level of morbid obesity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-john/and-graze-ourselves-up-to-a-nice-level-of-morbid-obesity/) [Dan John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-john/) > [“Yes, I can.” I have the resources. I went to the class. I sat through the clinic. I read the book. I can do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-john/yes-i-can-i-have-the-resources-i-went-to-the-class-i-sat-through-the/) [Dan John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-john/) > [“only mastered cynicism in my 30s.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-john/only-mastered-cynicism-in-my-30s/) [Dan John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-john/) > [I don't care what you bench. I care if you have friends and family you love, a career that you love, and helped someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-john/i-don-t-care-what-you-bench-i-care-if-you-have-friends-and-family-you/) [Dan John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-john/) > [Well, I am a great believer in supercompensation. Short term overtraining leads to long-term success. I can hear the complaints about injuries, but, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-john/well-i-am-a-great-believer-in-supercompensation-short-term/) [Dan John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-john/) > [“The problem with values is that everybody has them, but nobody has the same order.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-john/the-problem-with-values-is-that-everybody-has-them-but-nobody-has-the/) [Dan John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-john/) > [“Here’s a great home workout that allows you to train and work on the usual issues I find ailing most people: • Right-leg Bulgarian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-john/here-s-a-great-home-workout-that-allows-you-to-train-and-work-on-the/) [Dan John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-john/) > [“In a group of five workouts, I tend to have one great workout, the kind of workout that makes me think in just a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-john/in-a-group-of-five-workouts-i-tend-to-have-one-great-workout-the-kind/) [Dan John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-john/) [Explore all 52 Dan John quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-john/) ## More Exercise quotes > [Every one knows that the exercise of military power is forever dangerous to civil rights; and we have had recent instances of violences that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/every-one-knows-that-the-exercise-of-military-power-is-forever/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/) > [The United States cannot and should not discriminate on the basis of religion. The free exercise of religion is at the very heart of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-united-states-cannot-and-should-not-discriminate-on-the-basis-of/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [I always wanted to make sure that within my unit that I was never the weak person. So I made sure that my physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-carmouche/i-always-wanted-to-make-sure-that-within-my-unit-that-i-was-never-the/) [Liz Carmouche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-carmouche/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Everyday happiness means getting up in the morning, and you can't wait to finish your breakfast. You can't wait to do your exercises. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-burns/everyday-happiness-means-getting-up-in-the-morning-and-you-can-t-wait/) [George Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-burns/) > [If your goal is to look different, you'll see results faster with strength training than with cardio alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-kaiser/if-your-goal-is-to-look-different-you-ll-see-results-faster-with/) [Anna Kaiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-kaiser/) > [The Only cure for nihilism is for liberal democratic societies - their electorates, their judiciary, and their political leadership- to insist that force is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ignatieff/the-only-cure-for-nihilism-is-for-liberal-democratic-societies-their/) [Michael Ignatieff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ignatieff/) > [Exercise teaches you the pleasure of discipline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-fonda/exercise-teaches-you-the-pleasure-of-discipline/) [Jane Fonda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-fonda/) > [The amount of things you can do with a kettlebell is unsurpassed by any other training equipment - dumbbells, resistance machines, free weights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/the-amount-of-things-you-can-do-with-a-kettlebell-is-unsurpassed-by/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [One should try to locate power at the extreme of its exercise, where it is always less legal in character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-foucault/one-should-try-to-locate-power-at-the-extreme-of-its-exercise-where/) [Michel Foucault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-foucault/) > [What do you think of our gym <3](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-do-you-think-of-our-gym-3/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It is exactly in the repetition of the exercises that the education of the senses exists; not that the child shall know colors, forms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/it-is-exactly-in-the-repetition-of-the-exercises-that-the-education/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [One things guys have to remember is consistency... You can't make up for three years of eating poorly in just one workout.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/one-things-guys-have-to-remember-is-consistency-you-can-t-make-up-for/) [Apolo Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/) > [For girls who want to get their waistline down a little bit and don't have any weights in the house, they can actually use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pepa/for-girls-who-want-to-get-their-waistline-down-a-little-bit-and-don-t/) [Pepa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pepa/) > [The human body has been designed to resist an infinite number of changes and attacks brought about by its environment. The secret of good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-johnson/the-human-body-has-been-designed-to-resist-an-infinite-number-of/) Harry Johnson [Browse all 7,281 Exercise quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exercise/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Squats don't hurt your knees; what you are doing hurts your knees.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dan John" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-john/squats-don-t-hurt-your-knees-what-you-are-doing-hurts-your-knees/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Exercise" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-john/squats-don-t-hurt-your-knees-what-you-are-doing-hurts-your-knees/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ede/dan-john-12860_exercise_squats-don-t-hurt-your-knees-what-you-ar_542545.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ede/dan-john-12860_exercise_squats-don-t-hurt-your-knees-what-you-ar_542545.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ede/dan-john-12860_exercise_squats-don-t-hurt-your-knees-what-you-ar_542545.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Squats don't hurt your knees; what you are doing hurts your knees.” — Dan John", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dan John", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-john/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Squats don't hurt your knees; what...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-john/squats-don-t-hurt-your-knees-what-you-are-doing-hurts-your-knees/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-john/squats-don-t-hurt-your-knees-what-you-are-doing-hurts-your-knees/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```