How do you realize you can’t squat?

Squatting is considered to be the main exercise for shaping beautiful legs and tight buttocks. It involves many muscle groups, strengthens joints and tendons, and improves posture. There are even separate competitions on squatting with a barbell, where you can fulfill the norms of the master of sports.

fitness trainer

Establishing proper technique can take several weeks. Start exercising with your own weight under the guidance of a trainer. This way you will achieve 100% efficiency and avoid back and knee injuries.

There are many variations of this exercise. For example, if a person with second-degree scoliosis loads a heavy weight on the bar and starts squatting with full amplitude, it can aggravate the problem. If the same person squats with their own weight in partial amplitude, it will have a positive effect on health. Both are called squatting, but one cures and the other cripples.

Increased blood pressure. When squatting with weights, a person experiences a serious load, which leads to an increase in blood pressure and pulse rate. If you have cardiovascular problems, evaluate the need for squatting. Look for alternatives.

Varicose veins. This is a disease of the veins of the legs in which the blood vessels are dilated and deformed. Moderate physical activity is recommended to improve the condition. However, many athletes forget about health and get carried away with lifting heavy weights, which complicates the disease. Select an adequate load for training.

Long femur. Body proportions play an important role in squats. It is easier for someone to perform, and someone will try a dozen ways to get the desired result. A long femur affects the mechanics of the exercise. If you do not take this feature into account, you can get a back injury. You should choose the right technique of execution to evenly distribute the weight between the back, knees and legs.

How to replace squats?

Bending legs in the simulator

Execution technique:

• Lie down on the trainer and press your pelvis tightly against the bench.
• Tense the back of the thigh, then bend the lower leg to an angle of 90 degrees.
• Try not to pull your pelvis away from the bench.
• Then slowly return the lower leg to the starting position.

Perform three approaches of 15 times. Rest between approaches – one minute.

Leg curls in the simulator

Technique:

• Sit on the exercise machine. Press your pelvis and lower back tightly against the cushion and the back of the trainer.
• Tense the front surface of the thigh, then extend the lower leg, slightly not bringing it to the parallel with the floor.
• Try not to pull your pelvis and lower back away from the machine.
• Then smoothly lower the lower leg back to the starting position.

Perform three approaches for 15 times. Rest between approaches – one minute.

Leg press

Technique:

• Sit in the simulator, resting your feet on the platform.
• Press your pelvis and lower back tightly against the cushion and the back of the machine.
• Place your feet at the top of the platform and place them slightly wider than your pelvis, with your toes pointing out to the sides at a 45 degree angle.
• Lower the platform smoothly to an angle of 90 degrees at the knees, without tearing off the pelvis and lower back.
• As you exhale, press the platform out powerfully. Make sure your knees move in the direction of your toes.

Perform three approaches of 15 times. Rest between approaches – one minute.

Gluteal bridge

Technique:

• Lie on your back, bend your legs at the knees with a focus on the heel.
• Powerfully push the pelvis up to a straight line with the back, lingering in the upper point for one second.
• Lower smoothly to the floor for 2-3 seconds.

Perform three approaches of 20 times. Rest between approaches – one minute. If necessary, use additional weights.

Hip extension in a simulator

Technique:

• Sit on the trainer. Press your pelvis and lower back tightly against the cushion and backrest of the trainer.
• Put your feet on the footrest, press your shoulder blades against the backrest, maintaining a natural lumbar flexion.
• Exhale and spread your hips apart as much as possible. Hold this position for a second.
• Exhale and slowly return to the starting position.

Perform three approaches of 20 times. Rest between approaches – one minute.

Hip curl in a trainer

Technique:

• Sit on the trainer. Press your pelvis and lower back tightly against the cushion and the back of the machine.
• Put your feet on the footrest, press your shoulder blades against the backrest, keeping a natural bend in the lower back.
• Exhale and bring your knees together. Hold this position for a second.
• Exhale and slowly return to the starting position.

Perform three approaches of 20 times. Rest between approaches – one minute.