Are pistols bad for the knee?

[frozenpeon]

I have been doing pistol squat for a month and I'm starting to use dumbbell for extra weight since I don't want to enter into endurance training. I do them once a week because I can't standard squat on weekends,the gym always lock the free weights after 2pm(that sucks).

My question is simple: should I keep doing them with dumbbell or it might end up bad for my knees?

[compleks]

Just be cautious, as you would be doing normal squats.

If you feel discomfort or pain then stop.

[*<User Name]

Before you get any "real" damage you're gonna get swelling, so yeah just look out.

[Honken]

The whole key to keeping your knees safe is not to drop at the bottom. I only get sore knees if I get slammed down when snatching/cleaning or when I bounce at the bottom during squats.

[Karlnold]

I've done 100 rep pistol sets and so have my friends and we've never felt any discomfort afterwards, aslong as you've got good balance and they're done with stability there's really nothing to fear.

[frozenpeon]

okay thanks guys.
I do have a good balance and flexibility so I can do full pistol without any problem. I never had any knee pain during or after my training so I'm guessing I'm not damaging my knee.

[Gusch]

100 pistols in one set?
Dang, I can't do more than 20, and my leg is dead after that. I'm not practicing them, though.

[Ashtar]

No, they are not bad for the knees. Some study showed unilateral exercises for the leg to recruit muscles that actually helped to stabilize them. They can obviously hurt them, just like any new stress can, which is why awareness and control is paramount.

I've seen some of the pistol lovers doing them with 2 heavy looking kettlebells, and the people winning the 'beast challenge' doing it holding 1 105lb kettlebell.