Skip to main content

Should I Do Squats?

Squats are an ideal exercise as they tone the glutes, thighs, core and lower back. They can be done with or without weights to achieve more or less muscle definition. Doing squats can cause your butt and thighs to get more muscular, and adding aerobic exercise to your routine can ensure you stay lean while your tone.

Squats aren't just an exercise for your glutes. Doing squats can also help tone your core, lower back and the muscles in your thighs including the hamstrings, quadriceps and abductors. You can do different variations of the squat to engage each of these muscle groups. Squats are also a functional exercise, mimicking many of the movements you make doing every day activities.

Compound exercises like squats can add mass to your lower body, however, if you're looking to lose fat, you also need to engage in aerobic exercise. If you're looking to tone and get lean, incorporating cardio exercise into your weekly routine and a moderate amount of weight training will help you get the results you want.

Using just your body weight is a good way to tone with squats. You can also start by squatting with light weights, such as 5-pound dumbbells in each hand, to increase muscle tone and the intensity of the workout. As you get stronger, you can increase the amount if you are looking for bigger muscles.  Women, don't be afraid to pick up the weights, you won't end up looking like a bodybuilder. You will simply look more toned and shapely.

Performing a squat properly ensures that you don't injure yourself while you work the desired muscle groups. Start with your feet a little more than shoulder-width apart. Inhale as you squat down and keep your hamstrings at least parallel with the ground. The deeper you squat, the more you engage your leg muscles. Exhale as you come up and keep your back flat to slightly arched, according to Builtlean.com.

Related Articles:
Resistance Bands and Strength Training
Lose Weight and Do More Pull Ups
How To Get Symmetrical Arms When Lifting Weights
How to Lose Weight With The Total Gym
Get Fit With HIIT

Fitday.com: The Benefits of Squat Exercises [http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/exercises/the-benefits-of-squat-exercises.html#b]
Builtlean.com: How to Use Proper Squat Technique | 7 Tips [http://www.builtlean.com/2010/07/20/how-to-do-proper-squat-technique/]
MuscleTech.com: Colossal Legs- Try This 8 Week Program For Bigger, Stronger Legs[http://www.muscletech.com/resources/features/colossal_legs/index.shtml]
BodyBuilding.com: Which Cardio Methods Melt Fat the Fastest [http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/drobson178.htm]
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Zero Calorie Foods

But how am I suppose to lose weight? I don't want to feel hungry all the time, and healthy food is bland! Dieting is sooo hard. Blah, blah, blah, I know. Boring diets can make weight loss seem impossible. But, if you feel that dieting is difficult or that you are restricting yourself too much, you may be relieved to know that there are ZERO calorie foods, beverages and condiments you can add to your meals to help spice up your menu without bursting your belt. Each of these items either have no calories, or so few calories that your body burns more calories digesting them than it gains from eating them. Choosing these items can help you lose weight, since they can fill you up while helping keep your calories low. Food: Lettuce A cup of lettuce will only add a few calories to your meal, but it's full of nutrients. It contains a tiny amount of fat but loads of vitamin A and vitamin C. Beef up a sandwich by adding lettuce or make a hefty salad. But remember that salad
Post a Comment
Read more

How Many Calories Can I Burn During Exercise? Calories Calculator

Burning calories is the key to losing weight.  When you burn more calories than you eat, you lose weight.  The more calories you burn, the faster you can shed pounds.  Exercising is one of the best ways to burn fat and get in shape.   Find out how many calories you burn doing basic exercise like running, walking, biking, swimming and skiing.  Not only do these exercises burn calories and help you lose weight, they also improve your cardiovascular health and lower blood pressure.  Learn more about the benefits of aerobic exercise here . Not only is it important to know how many calories you burn, but you must also know how many calories you are eating.  If you are exercising but not counting the amount of calories you eat, how can you know that you are truly creating a calorie deficit and working toward weight loss?  Use the calorie counter to find out how many calories are in the foods you are eating.  You can also try these great zero-calorie food options to kick start
Post a Comment
Read more

Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator

Your body mass index (BMI) is the percentage of body fat you carry.  Improving your fitness through cardio exercise and strength training can help reduce your body fat as well as your risk for certain illnesses such as high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, high cholesterol and diabetes. Your BMI is based on your weight and height.  This calculator provides an estimate, but is not 100% accurate since it cannot account for muscle mass, bone density and other factors outside of your weight and height.   Use the BMI calculator to get an idea of how much body fat you have.  This can be used to set goals for weight loss or improving your health.  This can also be used to monitor your progress as you diet and exercise.   Use the body fat percentage chart to see if you need to lose weight, gain weight, adjust your goals, or if you are on the right track.   So you understand how much body fat you have, now you need to figure out how to get rid of it.  The only way to
Post a Comment
Read more