Squats Workout

They’re sometimes referred to as the king of all exercises, and with good reason. Squats are a full-body fitness staple that work the hips, glutes, quads, and hamstrings, and sneakily strengthen the core. Squats may help improve balance and coordination, as well as bone density . Plus, they’re totally functional. Time to banish those sloppy squats and help perfect the go-to move.
The Bodyweight Squat

Become a bodyweight squat pro, and you'll be ready to move on to weighted squats in no time! Just follow these steps.

1. Stand with feet a little wider than shoulder-width apart, hips stacked over knees, and knees over ankles.


2. Roll the shoulders back and down away from the ears. Note: Allowing the back to round (like a turtle’s shell) will cause unnecessary stress on the lower back. It's important to maintain a neutral spine throughout the movement.

3. Extend arms out straight so they are parallel with the ground, palms facing down (like your hands are on someone’s shoulders at a 7th grade dance). Or, if it’s more comfortable, pull elbows close to the body, palms facing each other and thumbs pointing up.

4. Initiate the movement by inhaling and unlocking the hips, slightly bringing them back. Keep sending hips backward as the knees begin to bend.

5. While the butt starts to stick out, make sure the chest and shoulders stay upright, and the back stays straight. Keep the head facing forward with eyes straight ahead for a neutral spine.

6. The best squats are the deepest ones your mobility allows. Optimal squat depth would be your hips sinking below the knees (again, if you have the flexibility to do so comfortably). Pro tip: Squatting onto a box until the butt gently taps it will be a reminder to squat low.

7. Engage core and, with bodyweight in the heels, explode back up to standing, driving through heels. Imagine the feet are spreading the floor (left foot to the left, right foot to the right) without actually moving the feet.

How to Do the Perfect Goblet Squat

If You Like It, You Should Put Some Weight On It

Beginners should start squatting with no added weight (bodyweight only!) and up the ante only after proper form is nailed down. (We don’t all have to be like this guy.) When using more weight, it’s more difficult to squat deeper, and deep squats with less weight trump shallow ones with heavy weight when it comes to making us stronger .

While there are many ways to squat, three of the most common weighted variations are goblet, back, and front squats.
Goblet Squat

This squat (sadly) does not include a goblet full of wine (though we’ve found no studies disproving the effectiveness). Instead, hold a kettlebell, dumbbell, or medicine ball at the sternum (center of the chest). With a slight bend in the knees, drop into a squat, going straight down and then standing straight up (do not reach back with the butt as you would for a body weight squat). When performing a goblet squat, drop the elbows between the legs inside the knees for a full range of motion. Goblet squats are great for beginners (and also experienced lifters) since they keep us from leaning forward (holding weight in front of the chest makes for a stable position).
Back Squat

Squats are much more challenging with a barbell, so if it’s your first time, it’s best to ask for a trainer’s guidance. For back squats, the weight rests on the traps (in one of two positions: low or high), where it’s generally easier to squat a heavier load. Hands should be facing forward, along the same plane as the shoulders, with elbows pointing down to the ground (arms will form a "W" along the bar). Keep hips back, and follow the same form for a bodyweight squat (ya know, minus holding your arms out of course!). The back squat is different from the bodyweight squat in one important way: breathing. When you're squatting a barbell, inhale before you descend, hold your breath for the squat, and exhale only once you've returned to standing.