BODYWEIGHT SQUAT

The Squat: one of the most fundamental movement patterns

The bodyweight squat or air squat is a version of the squat, without added resistance.

The squat is a functional movement pattern based on sitting down and standing up. The squat is one of the most fundamental human movements, it activates most of the musculoskeletal system but it’s also difficult for many of us to do—especially as adults.

Have you ever seen a baby squat? You’ve probably noticed how easily kids do it!

Have you ever travelled to parts of the world where people squat more so than using chairs? You’ve probably noticed how easily people of all ages do it elsewhere.

In the Western world, we have a huge set back as the chair tends to dominate.

The modern chair has become a substitute for the squat. The ever increasing reliance on the chair means that we stand less and we squat less, the muscles involved (pretty much all of them in the posterior chain) atrophy become weaker and we lose flexibility. Stretching more is not usually the solution, taking the opportunity to squat more certainly is.

The squat mainly targets the legs and the glutes. However, it also improves core strength & stability in the upper body (including the ab and back muscles), ankle mobility, calves, and other factors such as balance and coordination play an important role when you are doing this exercise. As you can see in the video at the top of the article as I slow things down and use my arms as a counter balance pretty much everything is engaged as a total-body activity.