Episode 32 – DIY guide to squats

 

Have you ever sat down and then stood up from a chair? Well then, yes, you’ve performed a squat!

 

So why squat?

The squat builds strength, fitness, stability and power simultaneously in the body so you can fight chronic back pain and musculoskeletal weakness as well as improve posture and get lean – sounds good yeah!

Of course it does! It also targets the big muscle groups of the legs stimulating your metabolism into overdrive – great for weight loss, toning and shaping the body.

 

First off, how do you define squat?

Squat intransitive verb: to assume or maintain a position in which the body is supported on the feet, and the knees are bent so that the buttocks rest on or near the heels. It’s a fundamental human movement pattern and incredibly functional – it works almost all the muscles in the body.

The squat targets the hamstrings, glutes, quads, calves and abdominals. These muscles are uber important for balance, core stability and total body strength.

 

There’s so many squats, which one(s) should I be doing?

There are so many variations of the squat. Each squat variation has purpose and depending on your #goals, you can do one, some or all! Let’s break down six squat variations you should try on this DIY guide to squats:

 

• Back squat: barbell and weights on your back/shoulders –

This is the standard of performance squats. It focuses on your posterior chain of muscles to promote strength; it’s also used by bodybuilders to increase muscle size or hypertrophy. Or in simple terms, this builds lots of muscle while focusing primarily on the muscles at the back of the lower body.

 

• Sumo squat: feet wide, externally rotated, outside of hip width –

This squat is aimed to increase balance and also allows the easier recruitment of your adductors (inner thighs), and glutes. Great for women who want to shape their inner and outer thighs.

Barbell back squat variations – wide squat, sumo squat, narrow squat

Barbell back squats – hand placement discussion

• Jump squat: as above, with or without weights –

The plyometric or explosive version of a weighted squat, this exercise utilises more calf strength and is directed at increasing power and agility. This dynamic movement is especially useful for movements requiring quick, lower body reflexes.

 

Read on below to find out the other exercises to try in this DIY guide to squats.