Squat Emphazised Leg Workout – 9/16

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Sometimes I just feel like FLEXING 🙂

Top & Crops: Lululemon | Shoes: Nike Frees

Tip of the Day: What is all the hype about the squat?? Last week’s leg workout was all about the lunge, so naturally, it’s only fair to give the squat a day of its own; I’m joking about that, but seriously…do you ever wonder if squats are overly hyped up and for what reason? When it comes to squatting, it seems like ladies fall on either side of the fence – some love it, some hate it, and there’s really no in between.

From an injury prevention perspective, squats are commonly avoided when there is an injury to the spine or knees. From a strength training perspective, squats are a very beneficial lower body exercise. Squats are a compound movement, meaning the recruit several muscle groups in order to perform (similar to a lunge): the quadriceps, the hamstrings, the glutes and even the core. I view compound movements as getting more bang for your buck or hitting two birds with one stone; if you’re squeezing in a workout and are short on time, compound movements like squats are a great way to go for this reason!

The benefits to squats are clear, but aspect I like to stress most is FORM! Proper form and technique will allow any squat movement to serve as beneficial and help protect against injury. 

Here are a few overall form tips:

-Squat with a full range of motion, squatting to at least parallel to the ground if not deeper

-Keep from allowing the knees to cave in

-Push through the heels (toes should be able to wiggle off the ground)

-Keep the chest high throughout the entire movement

-BREATHE BREATHE BREATHE

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