Body 2 Soul - Get Super!: Body weight squat

Body 2 Soul - Get Super!: Body weight squat: Reality: •   Main Muscle Group: Quadriceps •   Secondary Muscle(s): Glutes, Hamstrings •   Exercise Type: Strength •   Equipment R...

Body weight squat

Reality:

•  Main Muscle Group: Quadriceps

•  Secondary Muscle(s): Glutes, Hamstrings

•  Exercise Type: Strength

•  Equipment Required: Bodyweight

•  Mechanics: Compound

•  Force Type: Push

•  Experience Level:  Beginner

Now what:

1.     The bodyweight squat is an exceptional exercise to use as a warm up to follow the Dumb bell or Barbell squat, or front squat, and also as a finishing pump exercises with maximal reps, (if you still have the energy). Stand erect with your feet around shoulder width apart, toes pointing out at around 30 degrees. No need for a protractor, 10 to 30% is fine.

2.    Interlock your fingers, or put one hand on top of the other, now straighten your arms out in front of you (for balance not jokes). Your arms can also be crossed on your chest for the Macarena squat.  Placed behind your head for a prisoner squat.  Placed on your knees for the cheaters squat.  Placed on your glutes for the "well that’s awkward" squat.

3.    Keeping your eyes facing up, back straight and feet concreted firmly on the floor, slowly squat down keeping your knees in line with your toes, (do not let the toes go past your toes), and sticking your buttocks out. Think Sir-Mix-A-Lot, ‘I like big butts’.

4.    When your thighs are horizontal with the floor contract the quads, hamstrings and glutes by pushing back up through your heels.  Some people do find this difficult; so a little platform under the heels may assist you to keep proper posture and form.

5.    Do not lock your knees out at the top of the movement to avoid injury, and repeat for reps for wishful accomplishment.

Performance pointers:

1.     Basic principles apply to all squats. Keep your back straight, (mother always told me not to slouch), eyes facing forwards, chest out, (surprisingly no sarcasm here…), and don't let your knees come forward as you squat down.

2.    Squat down as if you were about to sit down on a chair behind you.  Most importantly, do not relax at this point, as there is no chair behind you and you could end up on your butt in the middle of the weights floor.  (Not so cool.)

Just saying:

I feel cold watching this video in winter….