Leg training with limited equipment

[bbbom]

I love training legs but the office gym isn't quite up to the standards of a normal gym.

We have dumbells up to 45 lbs and one of those cable pulley weight stations with the pec station on one side and a leg extension/standing hamstring curl station on the other side.

Problem is when I use the leg extension and standing hamstring curls, my knees get sore the next day. I used to do these two exercises at the real gym (not enough time to go to an outside gym) and never had a problem. Could it be the angle of the machine or is it my advanced age? Is the standing ham curl bad for knees? I don't have any knee problems but one gets weaker after doing the ext/curl combo.

What are some other exercises (with dumbells or the cable station) for working quads & hams?

I do squats with the 45 lb dumbells with no problem (need to get some bars & plates though).

Deadlifts are good, lunges are good, sissy squats but none seem to hit the quads and hams quite as well as the extensions & curls but they make my knees hurt! Is there something else to do?

Help me, help me I'm shrinking!!!!!!

 

[Anssi]

When you get the bar, try stiff-legged deadlifts for hams and front squats (?. what I mean is keep the bar in front of your neck, it's weird at first but works well if you don't have a leg press) for quads.

Leg extensions are IMHO the worst thing for the knees. Hamstring curls don't seem to do as much damage.

 

[michigan]

Maybe you're hyperextending your knees a bit when you do the leg curls? Also, leg extensions do put a lot of stess on your knees.
Another problem might be too a high training frequency for your legs.
Just some things to consider.
PS- If you go deep enough, the squat WILL stimulate your hams and glutes to a higher degree.