Why Squat?

If you’ve been to the PPC Training Center or a commercial gym you have probably done or seen somebody do some variation of a squat. We want to share why we think squats are so important for everybody who can do them without pain. 

First, we need to know why a person would do squats.

This is a great question, to which there is always going to be more than one answer depending on who’s asking. Squats target the primary muscle groups that are responsible for lower body movements such as jumping, running, and walking. Strengthening these muscles can improve athletic performance and reduce the risk of injury during sports and other physical activities. Here are some of the potential benefits of squats for athletes and people just living their lives: 

• Squats can improve running, jumping, and directional change abilities.

Each of these aspects of athleticism is critical for performance in sports such as basketball, soccer, and football. 

• Squats can improve endurance.

This is essential for sports such as distance running and cycling. 

• Squats can help improve flexibility and mobility.

The movement requires good ankle, knee, and hip mobility, which can improve over time with consistent practice. Better mobility can translate to better performance in sports, but also in daily activities, such as climbing stairs, lifting objects, and bending down to pick something up. 

• Squats provide benefits for daily functional movements. 

In everyday activities, squats can improve movements such as squatting down to pick something up or getting up from a seated position (think: getting off the pot). 

• Squats can help improve balance and coordination. 

This can help reduce the risk of falls.

Now that you know what a squat is, you might wonder how to do them.

The best way to answer that question is to come see us for a functional movement assessment so we can find the best version for you and teach it to you in an exercise program. Especially if you’ve never done squats or strength training before, that first step is more important.

Beyond that, here are the basics: a squat involves bending the knees, flexing the hips, and lowering the body to the ground. It is a compound exercise that engages multiple muscle groups, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, core, and lower back. Squats are often performed with added resistance, such as a barbell, dumbbells, or a kettlebell, and are commonly used in strength training programs for athletes and non-athletes alike.

Regardless of your ability level, profession, or experience doing a squat, they could be an exercise that is right for you.

If you’re not sure if you should be doing a squat variation in your workouts or not, we’d love to have a session to find out your baseline of functional movement and teach you how to grow from there.