By: Joanna Ives
Hey there, fitness aficionados, couch potatoes-turned-gym rats, and everyone in between! Today, we're diving deep into the magical world of squats. Yes, you heard it right, those leg-burning, booty-building wonders that have the power to transform not only your physique but also your mental well-being. So grab your protein shake, over whatever your go to is and get ready for a journey that's equal parts informative and hilariously entertaining! Please realize this is for fun and general information, technique will be discussed later by my husband.....I'm pretty he'll read this post and cringe as a powerlifter. But reality is we have to have a little fun while we can!
First off, let's address the elephant in the room: squats are not just about sculpting a derrière that could rival a Kardashian's...though lets be honest we want a real butt not whatever is happening to the Kardashian's booties (sorry not sorry Kardashian's but facts).
No, my friends, squats are the unsung heroes of the fitness world, the Swiss Army knives of exercise if you will. They work your quads, hamstrings, glutes, back and even your core, all in one glorious, butt-to-almost grass motion. Positioning matters so we will discuss that in a later blog!
But why should you care about squatting, you ask? Well, besides the obvious benefits of looking like you could crush watermelons between your thighs (Let's be honest...we all secretly want to try it), squats have a profound impact on your overall health and mental wellness. Let's break it down, shall we?
Builds Muscle Like a Boss: Squats are the OG muscle builders. Forget fancy machines and complicated routines; all you need is your body and a healthy dose of determination. By challenging your lower body muscles with heavy weights, you're not just growing stronger, you're also boosting your metabolism and torching fat like nobody's business. Remember back squats and front squats use your whole body through the movement thus you are getting a whole workout from on movement, the focus is always the glutes and quads.
Improves Mobility and Balance: Ever feel like a newborn giraffe when trying to walk up stairs? Squats can help with that....and can cause that feeling as well after a tough training session. But we are discussing your everyday mobility, squat help increase your range of motion and enhancing your proprioception (that's just a fancy word for body awareness), squats make everyday movements a breeze. Plus, who doesn't want to feel more graceful and less like a clumsy oaf?
Boosts Mental Health: Ah, the holy grail of benefits. You see, when you squat, your body releases a flood of feel-good hormones like endorphins and serotonin. These little buddies not only reduce stress and anxiety but also leave you with a euphoric high that rivals winning the lottery (okay, maybe not that intense, but you get the idea). So the next time life throws a curveball your way, just squat it out like the champ you are. Squats will cure the blues or at least help you scream and cry it out while looking like a bad-ass! Unless its just the bar then someone might ask if you are okay.
Now, I know what you're thinking: "But squatting is hard!" Fear not, dear reader, for I come bearing some solutions and a small dose of reality. Here are a few tips to spice up your squat game and keep things interesting:
Suck it Up: Cold hard truth, squats are hard. Anyone that tells you different is a liar, liar, pants on fire! But at the end of the day squats are worth everything you put into them. Sometimes you just have to suck it up and do the work. In lifting there is no easy way out but a great way to start is by just doing it a little every day, the more consistency the better it will get with time.
Try Different Variations: From goblet squats to Bulgarian split squats, the world of squats is your oyster. Experiment with different variations to target different muscle groups and keep your workouts fresh and exciting. Don't forget to always circle back around to regular squats: back and front, wide and narrow!
Challenge Yourself: Don't be afraid to add some weight to the bar or try a higher rep scheme. The beauty of squats lies in their scalability, so push yourself out of your comfort zone and reap the rewards. Don't be scared your body lifts you every day and you walk around just fine (hopefully.... unless you can't, sorry). The big idea here is to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, because lifting weights is about that. Kind of like life, when everything goes to hell and you have to find the ability to walk through it comfortably while life itself sucks at that moment.
Make it a Competition: Nothing gets the adrenaline pumping like a little friendly competition. Challenge your gym buddy to a squat-off and see who can bust out the most reps without collapsing into a puddle of sweat and tears (spoiler alert: it'll probably be both of you).
Movie quote being inserted here!!! Heavy Weights Lars (screaming): Buddy!!! Kids in lake (screaming in reply, while holding their "buddies hand"): Buddy!!! Sorry for the 90s flashback! If you haven't seen the movie Heavy Weights, now would be the time! Some lifters want the alone time to just take everything from life that day and lift it out, kind of like the Purge but in this case they aren't kill random people just purging their soul. Other gym goers want that ability to work with like minded people and still purge out their soul for the day. Having a partner is a great option for those who are starting out or need something new.
So there you have it, folks, a short lowdown on squats (not a technical one) and why they're the ultimate secret weapon for strength, health, and happiness. So next time you hit the gym, remember to squat like nobody's watching (I do all the time and if someone is watching who cares!) and reap the rewards of thick thighs, a bootylicious backend, and stress-free life. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some squats to crush and watermelons to pulverize. Happy squatting, my friends!
Jo
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