Not only is squatting important, but it is also imperative to do it through the full range. This allows proper stress across the full articulating surface of the knee and hip joint which promotes cartilage growth in those areas- less incidence of arthritis! However you should not rush into this without some support as shown here. Many of us can not achieve a full squat due to weakness or hip or ankle restrictions. Use a TRX strap or other support to maintain your form throughout the range, progress deeper while maintaining proper form (refer to our previous post)! You will notice your joint mobility increasing over time!Do not lean back, keep yourself balanced and heels planted on the floor. Keep your spine straight. Note how the back is parallel with the lower leg at the bottom of the squat. Use upper extremity support as much as necessary but as little as possible. Drive up through your heels!A deep squat gives us the ability to lift properly and avoid back pain!! We will go over how ankle restrictions affect your ability to squat and how to improve your range in our next post!
