Why squats are the BEST!

Have you ever noticed how some sort of squat variation tends to pop up in every exercise program? That’s because they are great for you, for a bunch of reasons.  Below are a few reasons why, no matter how much you hate them, you should keep them in your program.

1.       Squats engage a ton of muscles.

First, here is a list of the primary muscles responsible for movement in a bodyweight squat: Erector Spinae, Gluteus Maximus (glutes), Quads (Rectus femoris, Vastus intermedius, Vastus lateralis, Vastus medialis), Hamstrings (semitendinosus, semimembranosus and biceps femoris). And here are the secondary muscles, responsible for stabilization during the squat: Transverse Abdominus, Gluteus medius/minimus (Abductors), Adductors, Soleus, Gastrocnemius

Not only is this a lot of muscles working at once, but these are some of the largest muscle groups in the body. This means relative to other exercises, a high volume of work has to be done per repetition.

2.       Highly functional

I would guess that most people have already done a squat within a half hour of getting out of bed. It’s a movement that is easy to take for granted, but the inability to do a squat would make day-to-day life extremely difficult. Conversely, consider how have a strong squat makes so many daily living activities so much easier, not just sitting down and standing up. Many of the same muscles are used for climbing up and down the stairs, bending down to pick something up, and simply walking around.

3.       Essential base exercise

For those who resistance train recreationally, and not just as a means of exercise, squatting is the most important movement to master. Improvements on squat translate into improvements in virtually EVERYTHING, including cleans, deadlifts, push-press, etc.

4.       Elicit hormone response

Because the squat requires the recruitment of such large motor units, it is one the most effective exercises for triggering a hormonal response, specifically increased levels of testosterone, growth hormone, and insulin growth factor. I know for many of you (ladies) this doesn’t sound like a good thing, but these hormones are largely responsible for increased tone and muscle function.

5.       Prevention of injuries

Squatting requires the use of many muscles essential for balance and stability as well as muscles responsible for maintaining proper posture. Keeping a squat variation in your exercise routine is important for keeping these muscles strong to make sure you stay healthy!