10 Reasons You Should Be Squatting

Squatting is a full-body exercise that offers numerous benefits for your overall health and well-being; it’s rare that some variation isn’t programmed into an Online Personal Training clients workout program. In this blog post, I’ll highlight 10 compelling reasons why you should incorporate squats into your workouts:

1. Full Body Exercise

The Squat is a full body exercise: your legs are the driving force moving the weight while you descend and ascend, your abs and lower back muscles stabilize your trunk throughout the movement, and your upper-back, shoulders and arms balance the bar on your back. And, it’s possible to learn this exercise effectively with Online Personal Training.

2. Weight Loss

For those aiming to shed unwanted pounds, squats are an excellent choice. They are highly energy-intensive, making them effective for burning calories and promoting weight loss; using large muscle groups gets you the most “bang for your calorie buck.”

3. Build Muscle

By utilizing various muscle groups simultaneously, squats become a powerful muscle-building exercise; further heavy lifting can help boost testosterone. And no, squats won’t make you bulky If you’re not looking to put too much muscle on –  read this for more info.

4. Have More Energy

Everyday movements, such as climbing stairs or playing with your kids, become easier when you strengthen your body through squats.

5. Maintain Muscle

As we age, maintaining muscle becomes crucial for independence and performing daily tasks. Squats help preserve muscle mass and functional strength.

6. Strengthen Bones

Aging can lead to a decline in bone density, but squats can counteract this effect. Engaging in muscle movements and contractions, like squats, can help reduce the severity of bone density loss, particularly beneficial for post-menopausal women at risk of osteoporosis.

7. Strengthen Joints

Strong muscles surrounding joints provide added stability and protection against injuries. Squats, for instance, strengthen your knees and hips, making them less prone to future injuries.

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8. Increased Athletic Ability

In sports, squats are a fundamental movement. By improving your squat strength, you can be a better athlete – more explosive (faster), stronger, more stable, and have more endurance. In regards to endurance, if you are stronger it requires less energy to propel your body forward with the same given weight. In reference to a runner, running a set distance with stronger legs would take less energy because each step takes less energy.

9. Injury Prevention

Strengthened joints and improved coordination through squats contribute to injury prevention, reducing the likelihood of accidents in daily life and sports activities.

10. Increase Flexibility

Squats promote flexibility by encouraging movement through a wide range of motion, superior to static stretching. Proper squatting technique can enhance flexibility in your hips, legs, and upper back.

If you want to read more on how to properly do a squat, read this blog post I made about it. If you’re interested in being an Online Personal Training client, see the link below.

Till next time,

-Mike