According to weightlifting purists, if you’re not squatting, you’re not doing it right.
Sure, you can get a decent set of wheels without squatting (there are plenty of other exercises you can do to train your quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves), but the reason the squat reigns supreme is it’s freaking hard.
The squat requires just about every major muscle group in your body to work in concert to generate a tremendous amount of force, as well as near picture-perfect form if you’re going to ever put up impressive numbers.
You can cheat your way through the bench press and even the deadlift and eventually move heavy loads, but not the squat.
If you don’t have the whole-body strength and technique, there’s no way to wiggle or jigger the weight up. You just get stuck.
A good squat is worth a lot more than bragging rights, though.
It’s also one of the single best exercises for developing every major muscle group in your body, from nosehole to butthole, snout to tail.
If you do it correctly, that is.
Let’s get to it.
What did you think of this episode? Have anything else to share? Let me know in the comments below!
Mike Matthews is the founder and CEO of Legion as well as the author of several award-winning fitness books, including Bigger Leaner Stronger, Muscle for Life, and The Shredded Chef.
His simple and science-based approach to building muscle, losing fat, and getting healthy has sold over a million books and helped thousands of people build their best bodies ever, and his work has been featured in many popular outlets including Esquire, Men’s Health, Elle, Women’s Health, Muscle & Strength, and more, as well as on FOX and ABC.
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