How To Squat
The squat is one of the 5 key compound exercises in the gym. It is a great way to build on multiple muscles, as well as giving health benefits from burning calories to improving posture.
It is important that you take the time and get this movement right in order to avoid injury:
Warm up
- spend 5-10 minutes getting blood into the legs and opening up your hips.
How to squat
- On the rack, the bar should be set just below shoulder height. So when you un-rack you keep your feet flat on the ground.
- The bar position should be on the traps not on the neck. Keep your hands as close to your body and push your elbows back.
- Feet should be at shoulder width apart. Push your hips back and keep your back straight, slightly lean forwards, to keep bar position in the centre of foot and engage your core.
- Squat down till hips are parallel with knees for minimal depth. If you can get lower in a safe manner do so.
- Once you’ve hit parallel, keep the bar at mid point of your feet and drive the bar back up to the top. Whilst keeping your core engaged
Make sure you take your time and work up in weight without overstretching yourself.
Now you know how to squat, check out our Gamified Fitness collection 'Never Skip Leg Day' - aimed at incentivising and rewarding you for hitting certain squat levels.
