5 Other Ways To Do Squats

Squats are the perfect exercise for your quadriceps. In addition to the quad muscles in your thighs, they also work out your abdominal muscles including your lower back muscles improving the body's overall strength. Further, strengthening your midsection provides a stable trunk for your upper body allowing you better posture thus better blood circulation throughout your body.

However, doing the same kinds of squats day in and day out can be boring. Plus the squats that you do before may not challenge your body enough anymore especially now that your muscles have gone GOTTEN used to the stresses of basic squats. Hence, here is a second list of squats - these are classified as a lot more difficult than the first list we released you.

Squats exercise on a balance/ Bosu board. For beginners, a Bosu board, or simply Bosu is a board with a non-skid plate in one side and a soft cushion dome in the other. A balance board, on the other hand, also features a hard plate on one side, and a fulcrum or roller on the other (there are several types, but we cannot discuss them on this article). Both fitness equipments are designed to challenge the body's balance. Doing squats above a balance board of Bosu board further develops the core muscles whose main function is to find the body's center of gravity so as to maintain balance. You begin by standing in the balance board / Bosu board carefully balancing yourself whilst in standing position. Then slowly move to a squatting position whilst maintaining the balance.

Single leg squats. Simple yet powerful, the single leg squat is done by tucking one of your legs and balancing only with one foot. Then whilst one foot, you move to a squatting position. This exercise is highly challenging especially balancing yourself whilst in squatting position in one leg. It is argued that no other exercise develops body balance better than the single leg squat.

Barbell squats. You may need the advice of a personal trainer to decide what weight will be appropriate for you in this exercise. After deciding on the appropriate weight, you position the barbell in the back of your shoulders grasping it on both sides. Lower down your torso until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Then go back to standing position. This exercise provides extra resistance to your all too familiar squat.

Pile squats. You begin standing putting your legs in a wide but comfortable angle. Be careful not to go too wide on this stance. Your knees should stay aligned with your toes. Lower your torso into a squat by bending your knees. Your back should stay straight. Then straighten your knees back to a standing position. Variations include standing in ON your toes whilst on this stance or holding dumbbells on either side to provide extra resistance.

Front Barbell squats. This is the same as barbell squats except that you put the weight in front of your shoulders supporting it by your arms crossed over the bar. This is an exceptionally difficult squat so you would have to use lighter weight while doing this exercise. Because the weight is in front of you, your thighs work extra in helping the torso maintain balance.

These 5 squats are extra difficult hence you may need the help of a personal trainer before including these in your personal training routine.