How to perform bodyweight squat and which muscles do bodyweight squats work?

17 January 2022

Siji Premachandran

The Body weight Squat: A functional and most natural position that activates hips, quadriceps and glutes.

The squat or Bodyweight Squat is a natural resting position for Humans. Don’t believe us?

If you closely observe toddlers at play, you will see that very often they assume the squat position.

As we grow up and adapt to the modern world, our ability to comfortably sit in a squat position is often diminished. In fitness, training our body to function the way it is intended remains a priority. Squat training not only offer a gamut of benefits but also reminds us to return to a fundamental position that our ancestors adapted.

What are the benefits of Bodyweight Squats

Squat is a functional movement

The movements involved in squat is replicated in many of our everyday movement. Performing squats regularly helps to strengthen muscles, joints and central nervous system which is responsible for these movements.

Squat is a great way to burn more fat

Squat burns fat by two ways. First, squatting activity requires engaging multiple muscle group and lot of effort which burns calories in the process. Secondly, regular squatting increases lean muscle mass which increases our ability to burn more calories at rest. If fatloss is your main goal, then bodyweight squat should be one of the main exercise in your exercise program.

Squat helps you to build the six pack abs you always wanted

As fitness coaches, we agree that creating visible six-pack abs is a result of combining proper training with nutrition. However, for the “six-pack” muscles a.k.a rectus abdominis to be visible, they will need to be built through proper training. Performing squat activates these anterior core muscles which also protects your spine.

Squat improves power and atheletism

Squatting power is mainly generated by hips and legs. Sporting activities that involve sprinting, jumping and acceleration utilize muscles of the lower body. Research has shown that Squat increases strength and muscles sizes in these regions (hips, core, and legs) which results in improved sporting performance.

Squat increases blood circulation to lower body

Lifestyle habits and medical conditions such as frequent flying, spending long hours in a seated position, diabetics, weak vein valves, and injuries can impede efficient blood circulation to lower limbs. As squat challenges larger muscle groups in our lower body, the heart pumps nutrition-rich blood to these muscles which improves blood circulation.

Which muscles do bodyweight squats work?

Target Muscles

Synergists

Dynamic Stabilizers

Stabilizers

Antagonist Stabilizers