Squats: Benefits, Muscles Worked and Personal Trainer Tips

Of all the exercises our there, squats are some of the most common and well-regarded. Understanding exactly how to incorporate squats into your regular workout routine can help you grow your strength and reduce the risk of exercise-related injury. We consulted with certified personal trainers to get the key information you need to perform squats safely and to understand when and how to perform them. How to do a squat Ellen Thompson, NASM-certified personal trainer and area personal manager at Blink Fitness, gave us the run-down on a basic squat with good form: "Begin by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, with your toes pointed slightly outward. Remember to keep your chest up," she explains. "Push your hips back, as if sitting in a chair. Your knees should be tracking over your toes, not more forward or inward. Lower yourself until your thighs are parallel to the ground. Drive through your heels to stand back up." While bending down and standing back up is a basic move, Th ... Read full article.