The Squats – part 2

In continuing with my last post, here we have miss Andrea Calle showing how to do a variety of squat techniques, starting with the most basic of basics. It definitely help me to understand what I should be doing! Keep watching ‘till the end for an interesting squat + jump exercise. Looks like fun because hey, who doesn’t like springing and jumping?

So, without further ado I present to you: The Squat Challenge!

The idea is simple: you have a set number of squat to completely for each different day, with rest days planned out in between. I won't kid myself. I know, this will hurt A LOT the first few days. However, my aim is to get my body used to moving every day and to push through initial discomforts and pain.

I’ll let you know how it goes!

Psssst – if you want to keep up to date with my day-to-day exercise experiments (and other musings), follow me on tumblr! Tschüss!

The Rookie’s Guide to – Squats.

One of the best ways to get started to get moving is identifying the areas which you would like to work on and improve. One common area is one that I’m admittedly using quite a lot right now, to write my post. While sitting down. That’s right y’all, it’s The Bum.

Bum, butt, backside, derriere, bottom, rump, gluteus maximus….  Being a student involves spending 93% of my time essentially sitting on the now-squishy backside.  Time to start changing that! Enter: The Squats.

Squats will tone both butt and legs. Practicing 5-10 squats in the morning using the proper form will ensure that then when you have to do it in everyday life it becomes easier and you're less likely to get injured as you age. Sustainability is key, my friend!

Let our friends at fitsugar tell us how to Squat like a beginner champ:

1. Stand straight with feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Toes should be pointed forward and engage your core by sucking your belly button into your spine to work your transverse abdominals. (The girdle that holds everything in your abdominals together.)
3. Slowly bend your knees and lower yourself to the ground as if to sit in a chair position.
4. Stop when your thighs are parallel with the floor.
5. Push back up through your heels, exhaling at the same time.

Key points:
• Inhale when lowering body, exhaling when pushing back up.
• Keep toes pointed forward.
• Engage your abdominals.
• Do not use your hands to help you push back up.
• Don't allow your chest to drop and sink onto the tops of your thighs.

Got that? Right then: Ready, set, SQUAT!

I will be doing at least 5 in the morning to get me started. More on this next time!
What about you?