Happy Squaturday!
Have you done your squats? If you haven’t done them yet this week then today is as good a day as any other to get them done. Please don’t neglect this highly important exercise regardless of the type of training you are currently involved in.
The barbell squat is one of the most complete exercises that can be performed. Not only will you be targeting the major muscles of your legs like quadriceps, hamstrings and glutes, but performing heavy squats are also a core stabilization movement so you will be hitting those abs in a major way.
There is no reason why you should NOT be doing squats.
- You aren’t familiar with how to barbell squat properly? Check out this video on how to setup with squat.
- This will be your first time doing heavy squats? Welcome to the wonderful world of DOMS.
Here are some helpful tips for squats:
- Always warm-up properly with a weight lower than your first working set and some mobility movements and exercises.
- Wear shoes that don’t have much sole or heel.
- Grip the barbell tight and pull your elbows back to create a shelf with your traps where the barbell should rest. Do not rest the bar on your spine.
- Keep your chest and chin proud as you perform the exercise.
- Keep the weight centered over your heels.
- The proper way to lower the weight is to sit down into the movement.
- Focus on hitting parallel or below when you lower into the squat.
- Try not to round your back. Keep a natural arch and your core tight.
- Drive with the hips to bring the weight up.
(via mentalpushups)
