squating with weak knees?

[Pinefresh]

I have been going to the gym for some time now. Leg days consist of sqauts, deadlifts, leg press and calf raises. I have bad knees. They feel weak and I dont have any confidence with heavy weights. I weigh about 80kg and I was squating 70kg today. Its when my legs are almost straight that they feel weakest. I haven't been making any gains but I think thats because Im not increasing the weight.

In the past during badminton, rock climbing and drunken dancing my right knee has actually given out on me and I have landed on the ground, the doctors just say I need to rest it and be more careful.

I want to strenghten my legs but I dont know if I should keep doing sqauts at my current level or drop the weight or infact stop them all together.

[MacGee]

I had similar probs 2 yrs ago. I started rowing & cycling. This got my legs stronger and now can squat/deadlift 80/120kgs. Not huge but before I could barely squat with body wt alone.

[didelydoo]

Get some knee sleeves or wraps to help with the confidence and build up the squat slowly- you'll soon have knees of steel!

[BliarOut]

If your knee gives out avoid squats for obvious reasons!

If you want to strengthen your knees try cycling then come back to pushing weight when you know it's not going to buckle.