Ever wondered how to squat effectively? In this post, I’ll break down the squat, give some of my coaching tips, and answer some FAQs! Squats are a complex exercise. You need to be thinking about everything from feet to knees to hips to elbows…it all matters when squatting.
Squatting is a movement that we do every day, whether we are picking something up off the ground or sitting down in a chair. However, many of us do not realize that there is a correct way to squat. In fact, squatting with improper form can lead to pain and injuries. So here’s a quick breakdown of my biggest tips when it comes to how to squat properly.
How To Squat
- Feet: ensure entire surface of your foot stays grounded. Stable base is key
- Knees: Keep them tracking out in line with your toes. Push your knees forward. The further forward you can push your knees the deeper it will enable you to go.
- Trouble hitting depth? A quick fix is to elevate your heels with a plate.
- Hips: Your glutes are recruited at the bottom of the squat – so if the goal is glutes – no half squats!!!
- Upper back: you want to keep this tight so pull your shoulder blades down and back to create tightness.
- Breathing: Big breath in at the starting position to brace your core. Hold breath to ensure tightness as you squat down and then exhale at the top and reset.
So this was a short one, but still valuable information. I hope this is helpful and you got some value from it.
If you’re looking for personal training in Cabo, or online, we have options for face-to-face or virtual personal training. I’m happy to share with you other information on how to squat effectively and critique your form.
