5 Reasons for Squats

As we all surely know, there are countless men in the gyms of this country who absolutely refuse to train their legs, which is why the creative minds among us never tire of constantly coming up with new jokes about this group. But before we talk about others who don't... Squats While it might seem amusing, we should consider how many women actually attempt this complex and not-so-easy-to-learn exercise. An answer is probably unnecessary, as the results are obvious after the first visit to the gym. This seems particularly incomprehensible given that many women torture themselves for hours on steppers and other machines for a nice butt, because squats are arguably the most effective way to achieve a firm, round bottom and offer numerous other benefits that are certainly reason enough to hit the weights.

Reason 1 – Squats give you a sexy butt

Even though the title says more than a thousand more words could, this blunt and perhaps somewhat undifferentiated statement requires an explanation that factually supports it. The classic squat is a complex compound exercise that, in addition to the thigh muscles, primarily trains the gluteal muscles (gluteus maximus), giving them their characteristic curves. Since most women are aiming for precisely these curves, squats should be included in every training plan, because cardio training alone is not enough to adequately shape the buttocks.

Reason 2 – Squats train your entire body

While squats primarily target the quadriceps and gluteus maximus, it's inherent to such complex exercises that they engage numerous other muscle groups. In addition to the primary target muscles, squats also train your adductors, calves, and the muscles of your lower back and abdomen. This means your entire body becomes stronger and the interplay between your muscle groups (intermuscular coordination) improves. Furthermore, leg training releases relatively high levels of anabolic hormones, which, as scientific studies have shown, support the muscular development of your entire body. Besides strengthening your muscles, squats also train your cardiovascular system, which can significantly reduce your risk of heart attack.

Reason 3 – You burn more fat

Simply because performing these complex basic exercises requires the cooperation of numerous muscle groups, you burn significantly more calories squatting than other leg exercises like the leg press or leg extension. As mentioned earlier, you also benefit from the release of anabolic hormones, which help you become more muscular overall. This leads to your body burning more fat, as the additional muscle mass results in a significantly higher energy requirement even at rest.

Reason 4 – Squats prevent injuries

Squats not only strengthen your muscles physiologically, but also strengthen your ligaments and tendons, which has many positive effects. The increased flexibility and tensile strength of these tissue structures, resulting from increased collagen deposition, significantly improves the stability of your ankles, knees, and spine. This increased stability leads not only to improved posture but also to a reduction in the overall risk of injury.

Reason 5 – Squats improve your performance

The squat, as a functional exercise, strengthens your entire body, enabling you to easily master everyday challenges outside the gym. If you participate in other sports besides fitness training, such as track and field, swimming, or tennis, you'll also benefit from the strengthening effect of squats, as improved intermuscular coordination will allow you to jump higher and sprint faster.