Front Squat (barbell)
Dallas Personal Trainer - One of the most classic, functional, and highly useful leg strength exercises that engages the core (abdomenal muscles) to a very high degree, and yet somehow this exercise goes almost completely overlooked by the entire personal training world and is not often used by the typically Dallas personal trainer at all.
Load a bar on the squat rack just below shoulder height. Put your hands at a grip 4-10 inches outside shoulder width, depending on what is comfortable for you. Make sure that your hands are evenly placed on the bar and then stick your head under the center of the bar and let it rest across the back of your shoulders. Stand up to lift the bar off of the rack and step back from the rack.
While keeping your head up, squat down as low as possible, keeping your weight firmly planted on your heels. The goal is to squat down until the top of your thighs are parallel with the floor and then push your feet firmly into the floor to press the weight back up. Make sure that you create tight abdominal pressure (brace as though someone is about to punch you in the stomach) at the bottom of the movement as your press yourself back upward. This abdominal pressure will give you added strength and will stabilize your spine.
If you squat all the way to where your thighs are parallel with the floor, your hips will be slightly lower than your knees at the bottom of the movement. It will take time, practice, and stretching for many people to get to where they can squat all the way to parallel, but for best results it is very important that you learn to do so. Whether you want to burn fat, build muscle, or gain strength, this exercise is absolutely one of the very best. It works your entire body and is very challenging if you are truly pushing yourself and squatting all the way down.
As always, we do not recommend performing any exercise without the supervision of a highly qualified Dallas personal trainer. This exercise description is for informational purposes only. Consult your doctor before attempting any workout program or attempting this exercise or any other exercise on this website.
Load a bar on the squat rack just below shoulder height. Put your hands at a grip 4-10 inches outside shoulder width, depending on what is comfortable for you. Make sure that your hands are evenly placed on the bar and then stick your head under the center of the bar and let it rest across the back of your shoulders. Stand up to lift the bar off of the rack and step back from the rack.
While keeping your head up, squat down as low as possible, keeping your weight firmly planted on your heels. The goal is to squat down until the top of your thighs are parallel with the floor and then push your feet firmly into the floor to press the weight back up. Make sure that you create tight abdominal pressure (brace as though someone is about to punch you in the stomach) at the bottom of the movement as your press yourself back upward. This abdominal pressure will give you added strength and will stabilize your spine.
If you squat all the way to where your thighs are parallel with the floor, your hips will be slightly lower than your knees at the bottom of the movement. It will take time, practice, and stretching for many people to get to where they can squat all the way to parallel, but for best results it is very important that you learn to do so. Whether you want to burn fat, build muscle, or gain strength, this exercise is absolutely one of the very best. It works your entire body and is very challenging if you are truly pushing yourself and squatting all the way down.
As always, we do not recommend performing any exercise without the supervision of a highly qualified Dallas personal trainer. This exercise description is for informational purposes only. Consult your doctor before attempting any workout program or attempting this exercise or any other exercise on this website.
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Traditional Front Squat |
Arms Crossed Front Squat |