Squats
We’ve all seen those guys (and increasingly women) at the gym in the squat racks lifting several times their body weight. They hold the bar behind their neck (back squat) or over their collarbone (front squat.) It can be intimidating to watch this, and we might easily conclude “that’s not for me.” But I’d like to convince you otherwise, based on my own experience. First, let’s look at the squat and why it is considered by most strength and conditioning coaches the most complete strength exercise. For starters, it’s a multi-joint exercise involving at least the hip, knee, and ankle joints. The squat also builds our balance and flexibility. In total, you get more bang for your buck – the squat is efficient! In addition, the involved muscles get a dose of concentric, isometric, and eccentric contractions. And speaking of muscles all of the big ones in the lower extremity are engaged: quads, hamstrings, calves, front and back leg muscles, as well as those in the ankle and feet. And the back gets a quality workout too, assuming good form and depending on the type of squat done. With this kind of payback, why do most runners avoid squats? It’s … Continue reading