Key Points: How to Do Squats

Thursday February 18, 2010

This is one of a series of revision tips on how to perform the major weight training exercises with good form.

• Warm up with light exercises.
• Rest a barbell on the trapezius muscle behind the head or hang dumbbells at the side or at the shoulders.
• Turn toes slightly outward with feet about shoulder-width apart.
• Squat while keeping the back straight and not curved. To emphasize this position, push the butt outward when descending in the squat.
• Go to parallel or half (upper or lower thighs parallel to ground), or full squat (butt to ground), according to knee joint health or preference.

The squat is an outstanding exercise for lower-body strength and energy expenditure in progressive resistance training workouts.