How-To: Squats

Next in the how-to series is a classic (and essential, staple) exercise when it comes to fitness training: the squat.

group of women doing exercise inside the building
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

This is one of the better exercises when strengthening the lower body. A squat involves not just below the hip, but it also works to stabilize your lower core muscles to sustain balance. While there are a slew of weighted squats as variation, for now, let’s focus on the bodyweight squat. I can speak only from my experience in using free weights, such as dumbbells and sandbags.

First, stand up straight, feet at about hip-width apart, and with knees slightly bent. While dipping down, you want to make sure you keep your back straight. In other words, when performing a squat with good form, your trainer should be able to see any visible logos or designs on your shirt. Your hip should crease slightly below the kneecaps, which said knees are also bent and not tracking over your toes. Ideally, you will want to aim for close to 90 degrees when dipping down in full depth. A deep squat should target the quadriceps, adductors, and the gluten.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *