Do you Know your squat??

One of the easiest ways to work the leg muscles is by doing squats. Squats are excellent if you goal is to lose weight and tighten your thigh muscles. However, you must remember the important rules of squatting.

 

 

For proper execution of a squat, stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart and with your toes pointing slightly outward or in a natural anatomical position. Squat down, bending the knees and pushing the bum back as if preparing to sit in a chair. Your thighs should be parallel to the floor and your knees should be in line with your toes ensuring that all the weight is through your heels and not your toes. Keeping your head up, abs tight and lower back slightly arched, drive the weight up with your legs until you are in a standing position. Remember to keep you knees soft and not locked at the top. Once you are standing straight up, squat back down over the same path. 

 

You should feel your Quadriceps (thigh muscles) working the most with the Hamstrings and Calves mildly working during this exercise.  You can also work your glutes as you squeeze them whilst in the standing position. You should be able to complete fifteen to twenty reps without weights in hand.  As you progress you can add dumbbells in hand to make this exercise more challenging.

 

Tips: Always maintain proper form throughout this exercise by keeping your head up, abs tight and lower back arched. Squats are a big power movement and you must execute them with full concentration in order to prevent injuries. Do not use jerky motions or body momentum.