Searched around a bit and couldn't find anything, if this is a re-post my apologies.

I have noticed lately that while using weights and such, my joints will crack. I'm not talking about once or twice, but like five and six times.

Especially on squats and bicep work. My knees will crack and my elbows will crack.

Now I know when you crack your knuckles (which I have a habit of doing) it is a release of c02 in the joints that makes the 'crack' sound.

Is this something I should worry about since it only happens when I apply weight to said joints? Is it a mark of bad form? Too much weight?

They don't hurt or anything like that, they just 'crack' a few times on the up and down swing of a rep and after the first set they never do it again. This happens every day I workout.

Just want to make sure this isn't the onset of something bad.

Thanks in advance.

I used to have this "problem" a lot but once I switched to the Max-OT workout and started warming up by doing very light sets and warming the muscle groups up it has cut down on it a lot. My joints pop very easily hips, knees, etc.

What I don't know if this is really a problem or if it's just something that happens.

Not to hijack your thread, but you mentioned you also crack your nuckles a lot. I have the same problem. I was just wondering how bad cracking your knuckles on a regular basis really is?

Not to hijack your thread, but you mentioned you also crack your nuckles a lot. I have the same problem. I was just wondering how bad cracking your knuckles on a regular basis really is?Why do you do it? It serves no purpose, so you should probably stop. I would guess, though, that it does little. I do know that one guy (I think I read this...) cracked one of his knuckles all the time and never the other and after a bunch of years noticed no problems with arthritis in either one.

In regards to cracking joints, I have seen a physical therapist, sports physician, and an orthoepedic surgeon and all dismissed outright the concern of my cracking knee. It's only my right knee but when I squat down and up, the first 2-3 times it will crack loudly. It often does it when it's not weight bearing. All maintained that as long as there is no swelling or pain, that cracking is normal and in fact a great majority of the adult population will experience cracking in joints from time to time. My ankles do often, but only first thing in the morning, for instance.

I think my knee cracking increased in severity to coincide with runner's knee (which does hurt) but in and of itself painless cracking is not a concern and you'll find the same if you search google.

I get knee cracking all the time. Especially if I go to the gym in the mornings. I get on the bike to warmup and the first few turns/minute it doesn't feel super. It's like it's on the verge of cracking. Once I'm warmed up I'm completely fine though.

Not to hijack your thread, but you mentioned you also crack your nuckles a lot. I have the same problem. I was just wondering how bad cracking your knuckles on a regular basis really is?


It is just a habit for me. It does nothing to your body. That silly wives tale about your knuckles getting bigger is non sense. The crack sound you here is a c02 release in the joint. (Why you can't crack the same knuckle more than maybe twice at most)

I started warming up a little longer and it still does it but not as bad, or loud. I never gave a damn, just wondered if it was a problem. If it isn't then I'll go back to not caring.

I did some reaserching around the net and it seems that the majority of reaserchers agree that knuckle cracking has nothing to do with arthritus. but the majority also says it leads to swelling of the hands over long periods of time, and a lot less grip strength.

I wish it was as easy to do, but i find myself and it's probabaly the same for others...subliminaly cracking knuckles. I sometimes notice myself doing it and it's like, whoa if something didn't catch my attention there i would've never known I was cracking them.

I wouldn't worry about knee cracking, but neck cracking might be pretty bad, I found I had to stop doing that because my neck would kill sometimes, and I can't even crack my neck now if I try :p

I did some reaserching around the net and it seems that the majority of reaserchers agree that knuckle cracking has nothing to do with arthritus. but the majority also says it leads to swelling of the hands over long periods of time, and a lot less grip strength.

I wish it was as easy to do, but i find myself and it's probabaly the same for others...subliminaly cracking knuckles. I sometimes notice myself doing it and it's like, whoa if something didn't catch my attention there i would've never known I was cracking them.

I wouldn't worry about knee cracking, but neck cracking might be pretty bad, I found I had to stop doing that because my neck would kill sometimes, and I can't even crack my neck now if I try :p



I know I need to stop. I crack each hand 10 different times, my neck, back, multiple times a day. It can't be good after a while. Just gonna have to knuckle down (pun not intended) and stop. That and nail biting. I picked up all this crap when I stopped eating unhealthy.

Ditto on the knee cracking. I had the same issue for the first 5 mintues every time I used a stairmaster. My doc said nothing to worry about.


But since is is related, there was a recent study (late 2005/early 2006) indicating those who cracked their (finger) knuckles were less likely to have arthritis.