If you haven’t done squats before, then you have been missing out on A LOT. Squats are one of the most basic exercises that you can do anywhere. And while it seems pretty easy to do, many fitness enthusiasts hate the thought of this exercise.
When doing squats, it seems easy as though you’re only pretending to sit, but maintaining that position will require a lot of power and self-control. You have to use all your muscles to keep an upright position – which makes squats a total body workout.
Women, especially those who are looking to lose weight, are encouraged to squat more often. But before we jump to the reasons why you should start doing squats, the first thing you need to know is how to do it properly. Doing squats in a weak form will just waste your efforts and might also cause injury.
The Proper Way of Doing Squats
It might be a little tricky at first, but it’s really easy to get used to this type of exercise. Another good thing about squats is that they’re very convenient. You can do it anywhere, even without any equipment. But if you want to add a bit of challenge to your workout, you can add some weighs.
But before you hit that squat, make sure you’re doing it right by following these steps:
- Take a deep breath and push your butt toward your back.
- Extend your arms in front to help balance your body
- Make sure to keep your back straight with your chest and shoulders up
- Slowly squat downwards, keeping both knees in line with your feet
- Keep bending until your hip is lower than your knees
- Hold for 5 seconds then rise up by pressing through your heels
For starters, it can really be tough to immediately achieve a full squat. Therefore, you can begin with a half-squat and work your way up until you can do the full position. Whether you’re looking to shed some pounds, run fast, or build muscle, you should include squats in your workout routine.
Now that you’re aware of how to properly do a squat, here are the 7 reasons why you should start doing it:
1. Squats Burn Fat
Running is one of the most popular fat burners, but little do many know that squats could do the same – maybe even better. The difference is that when doing cardiovascular activities, you only burn fat when you’re moving, but in squats, the burning process doesn’t stop even when you stop.
Doing squats can build muscle, which makes it efficient in burning fat. In fact, the body burns around 35-50 calories per day with every pound of muscle gained! That simply means that when you build more muscles with squats, the more fats your body will burn each day even when you’re at rest.
2. Improve Posture and Reduce Back Strain
Since you have to strictly sit up straight when doing squats, it also helps a lot in improving your posture. This is especially useful for women who want to walk like supermodels! Once you get the hang of doing squats properly, you can effortlessly maintain a good posture all day. That also means you can easily overcome back strain!
3. Improve Blood Circulation and Promote Digestion
Aside from improving your physical features, squats are also beneficial for your blood circulation and digestion. If you often feel numbness on your legs – that means you have poor blood circulation. The reason behind this is because the heart finds it difficult to transport blood to your legs, but this can be prevented with the help of squats.
When your heart gets used to pumping blood towards your legs, that irritating feeling of numbness on your legs will soon fade away. Other than that, it will also be easier for the waste on your stomach to pass through your bowels, which prevents indigestion and bloating.
4. Improve Balance and Flexibility
Having strong legs is necessary for any day to day activity, and squats can help keep them supple even as you age. Since this exercise bends and stretches the muscles in your knees, you can assure yourself that you’ll be able to move in any direction even when you get older.
6. Core Strength and Build Abs
But aside from achieving perfect round booty, squats are also adequate improving core strength – which can eventually build your abs! Although sit-ups and crunches are equally effective, it turns out that doing squats are also suitable.
This is also a great way to step up with your weight lifting as it strengthens the back as well. Once you embrace the squats you’ll also be better with you with your deadlifts, back squats and other weight training.
5. Rounder Butt
Now, this should be the most interesting on this list. If you want your butt to look great in leggings, then you should start squatting! If you do it regularly, then you’ll notice the results in no time. Plus, unlike other butt-enhancing exercises, squats won’t put tension on your lower back. It’s safer and guarantees faster results!
7. Cost-efficient
The best thing about squats is that all you need is yourself. No gym subscription or expensive equipment required. It’s extremely cost-efficient, but if you’re really serious about it, you can add some weight with a few dumbbells or a stability ball.
Now that you’re equipped with all these knowledge, I don’t think there’s any excuse not to learn how to squat. Whether you’re at home, at the park, in the office, or anywhere else, you can easily do some squats.
These are just some of the many benefits of this exercise. Squats can do so much, so if you’re not yet doing it, then you’re missing out.