Squat Guide
- Exercise Type: Compound - engages and works multiple muscle groups at the same time.
- Targeted Muscle Groups:
- primary: quadriceps
- secondary: gluteal, hamstring
- tertiary: calves
- quaternary: abs, lower back, obliques
How to perform?
Squat primarily refers to Back Squat , but also ,,squat" refers to other variants of squat (check the variants tab bellow to learn more).
A squat is a strength exercise in which the trainee lowers their hips from a standing position and then stands back up. During the descent of a squat, the hip and knee joints flex while the ankle joint dorsiflexes; conversely the hip and knee joints extend and the ankle joint plantarflexes when standing up.
The squat is arguably the best exercise for building leg muscles. Because it's a compound exercise and it involves a lot of muscles, joints, and tendons, it not only builds muscle but it strengthens your core.
Steps to perform:
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes pointing slightly outward.
- Keep your chest up, shoulders back, and core engaged.
- Lower your body by bending at the hips and knees simultaneously.
- Aim to bring your thighs parallel to the ground or as far as comfortable.
- Ensure your knees stay aligned with your toes, not extending beyond.
- Maintain a straight back and avoid rounding your shoulders.
- Press through your heels to return to the starting position.
- Keep the movement controlled, emphasizing proper form.
- Breathe in on the descent and exhale as you push back up.
Variations
- ATG Squatcompound
- Bulgarian Split Squatscompound
- Close-Stance Barbell Squatcompound
- Front Barbell Squatcompound
- Hack Squatcompound
- Heel-Elevated Front Squatcompound
- High Bar Squatcompound
- Pause Squatcompound
- Reverse Hack Squatcompound
- Safety Bar Close-Stance Squatcompound
- Smith Machine Bulgarian Split Squatcompound
- Smith Machine Squatcompound
- Sumo-Stance Barbell Squatcompound
- Squat with Core Twistcompound
- Pit Shark Squatcompound
Similar Exercises
- Alternating Lungescompound
- Dumbbell Sumo Squatscompound
- Front Loaded Cable Squatcompound
- Front Rack Reverse Lungecompound
- Jump squat with pulsecompound
- Leg Presscompound
- Leg Press with Resistance Bandscompound
- Lungescompound
- Nautilus Chest Presscompound
- Plank to jump squatcompound
- Poliquin Step-Upcompound
- Side Push-Upscompound
- Single Leg Presscompound
- Sissy Squatscompound
- Smith machine front squatcompound
- Smith Machine Lungescompound
- Squat Jumpscompound
- Squat Static Holdscompound
- Step upscompound
- Sumo Deadliftcompound
- Walking Barbell Lungecompound
- Walking Dumbbell Lungecompound
- Weighted Sissy Squatscompound
- Booty Bodyweight Donkey Glute Kicksisolation
- Leg Lifts With Cris-Cross Movementisolation
- Quad Extensions (Leg Extensions)isolation
- Single-Leg Quad Extensionsisolation
- Squat Walkisolation
- Cycling Machinecardio
- Jogging-Treadmillcardio
- Walking-Treadmillcardio
- Prowler Sledplyometric
- Reverse static plankisometric
- Wall Sitsisometric