Why are squats so good for you?
Posted in Wellbeing Articles, Fitness Articles by Tim Jones on May 31st, 2007
This article has been drawn from Eat, Move and be Healthy - written by Paul Chek, which is widely considered the bible of holistic health and wellbeing.
Here at TJF Personal Training we are big fans of squats. If you incorporate squats into your training then you will see vast differences in your energy levels, strength levels and your physique. But first lets talk about what a squat is and why they are so good for you.
The squat is one of the fundamental stages of gait development when children learn to walk. Before a baby will stand it will learn to squat as it is one of the most important functional movement patterns a human can perform. But through the changes in society and such inventions as the modern day toilet we are no longer required to perform full squats on a daily basis - and so our motor engram patterns have changed, our muscles have become imbalanced and we have become less functional. If you watch a young child it seems like second nature to them when they squat down to pick up a toy. If you cant perform a full squat then you are less physically functional than a 2 year old! Something I would want to address quite quickly!
So if squats are so important for your body then it makes sense for us to be performing them regularly. But how?
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO CAN’T, THIS IS HOW TO SQUAT
- Stand in proper alignment, with your feet shoulder width apart.
- Draw your belly button inward towards your spine and keep the spine straight.
- Allow yourself to lower to a squat position under control without compensation.
- Keep the weight through your heels.
- When at the bottom of the squat extend your hips, knees and ankles to a standing position.
- Try to breathe throughout the exercise
Try starting with 3 x 12 sets per day with 90 seconds rest between sets. Progress slowly so you don’t get DOMS (delayed onset of muscle soreness) and try to increase the repetitions in each set. In a few days you should notice an increase in your energy and strength levels and may even see your bowel habits improve. Bowel habits you say? Well read the statement below!
“Many early naturopathic physicians attributed the massive increase in constipation in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s to Thomas Crapper, often mistakenly thought to be the inventor of the modern day seated toilet; Thomas Crapper was actually a plumber that popularized the toilet but didn’t invent it. To combat the fact that the modern toilet doesn’t require a full squat, and therefore doesn’t facilitate evacuation of the colon, Colon Hygenists recommend the use of a footstool ranging from 6-14��? in height” - Paul Chek.
This makes you wonder what else isn’t good for you!
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