Curtsy Dips

C

CathydsRNA

Cathlete
Is it beneficial to perform curtsy dips in addition to traditional dips? Do they work different muscles than traditional dips? It seems difficult to keep the correct form with the same amount of weight as I use for traditional dips and they also seem somewhat dangerous in terms of wrenching a knee. If they are important to do, I will work on them ...if not I am giving them up.
 
I would not do them with ANY added weight. They seem to work the inner and outer thighs a bit more than regular dips (especially the outer thighs). But you are right to be concerned about knee risks. I will sometimes do these, but more as one-legged squats, or as "skaters dips", with the rear leg not taking much weight, and the lower leg of the front leg perpendicular to the floor, so the knee and ankle are tracking in the same direction.

Curtsy dips are included on the "Legs and Glutes" workout, and even there, some of the exercisers have an angle to the knee and ankle that I find particularly risky. YMMV.

If in doubt, omit them, as they have no special value that you couldn't get from another, less risky exercise, IMO.
 
Hey Kathryn!

Kathryn, I don't often sing out with criticism of any Cathe move, but I'm compelled to come out of my rabbit hole to agree with you on curtsy dips. I have really crummy knees, as I've said many times on these forums. I tried curtsy dips the first time I did L&G, and although I didn't feel any pain the movement felt very torquey and unnatural. And I did feel like every alarm bell in my sensitive knees was screaming "Danger Will Robinson!!!!" ;-) After that one time, I have substituted -- I either do traditional side squats, plie squats or I do those side-to-side lunging squats (can't recall the name) where you "sit down" and put your weight goes into the glute and quads of the outside (bent) leg.

Some months later one of my sons was being treated for plantar fasciatis, and I asked the orthopedist about curtsy dips. I didn't tell him I had bad knees, I just asked about the advisability of the move and if it was knee-risky. I did my best (and you can take that for what it was worth :)) demonstration of this move for the doctor. He made sort of an "Eeeuuuwww gross!" face as I demonstrated and shook his head immediately, and (without elaborating on exactly why) he just said "No no no, stick with all the traditional squats and lunges and floor work." So there's his two cents' worth. Of course, great minds may disagree, but I don't think there can be any doubt that this is a very difficult move to execute with knee-friendly form.

By the way, I had a great chuckle at your reference to YMMV. Haven't seen that one in a while! :)

http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/sport/sport-smiley-003.gif Kathy S. http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/spezial/spudniks/spudniklifter.gif
 
RE: Hey Kathryn!

Thanks. I think I'm going to ixnay this move from my repertoire as there doesn't seem to be too much benefit from this move but a lot of risk.
 
Hi Cathy!

When Cathe does that move in L&G's, I just lunge straight backwards...not crossed behind. This works great for me.
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
RE: Hi Cathy!

Wow! I didn't realize these could be so dangerous. The Firm does them a lot too. I'll have to avoid them from now on because I also have sensitive knees. Thanks for the heads up!
 
I love curtsey dips. However, in most workouts I have I think they are not performed with the best form, I think the knee should be over the ankle straight up and down and not at an angle. The angle will torque the knee. When I do them with my lower leg straight up and down I can REALLY feel them. Unfortunately I think Cathe's form could be better on these.
 
I've never had any problem with these. I really feel the muscles surrounding the knees get a good burn. (We were just talking about sissy squats in another thread and some people thought they were unsafe too.) I guess if you already have good strength around your knees this would make a good addition to your program. Otherwise, stick with the safe moves such as leg extension.

Marla
 
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