I would like to get the groups opinion on some advice I received from a trainer.
I am 60 and have been lifting off and on for about 10 years, the past two years I lift 3 times a week. My routine includes dead lifts, and squats. I do them twice a week. The past year I started increasing the weight I was lifting, and as I do I start having knee trouble, which means mild pain and some swelling in one knee or the other (usually not both). My max deadlift is 260.
When I get knee pain I stop, wait about two weeks for the knee to recover, and then start again at a lower weight (about 160). I do OK until I increase the weight over 220.
I thought my form must be the problem, so I spoke with a trainer. His response was that I should not be doing dead lifts and squats at all, that they are too risky to my knees and back. That is contrary to everything I have read, but I have to say I have not been able to solve the problem.
Any ideas about this advice? Should I stick to lower weight, or stop?