sorry, but your basic squat isn't cutting it.

I know, I know, that was a bit harsh...  but it's true.  Squatting in the same way every week just isn't going to cut it in the long run.  After reading this post, you'll learn how to change up your squat form to activate all the muscles  in your legs! 

One option to mix things up is to change your set and rep ranges...

​You can learn more about that by clicking the button below:

WHAT THE HECK ARE SETS AND REPS?

but you will also want to change your stance:

Squat stance?  Huh?  The way you place your feet during a squat (and a deadlift) can totally change the muscles worked.

You are probably most familiar with a standard stance, with your feet about shoulder width apart.  This a great stance to take (if you have good form) but by changing the distance between your feet, you can mix up your workout routine even more, that way you make sure to hit all the muscles in your legs.

So, what are the three stances I use with my clients?  Keep reading to learn!

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"SUMO"

A sumo stance places your feet far apart (wider than shoulder width) and your toes pointed out.  This stance lends itself to being the deepest of the squat variations, because the wider your feet are, the easier it is for your calves to stretch and let you get down low.  In a sumo stance, you tend to feel more engagement on the inside of your thighs.

"NARROW"

A narrow stance places your feet closer together (hip width or narrower) with your toes pointed straight ahead.  This stance makes it a bit harder to get deep into your squat because it requires the most flexibility of your calves.  With a narrow stance, you tend to feel more engagement in your glutes.

"STANDARD"

A standard stance falls somewhere in the middle of the two, with your feet about shoulder distance apart and your toes aligned with your knees.  Please note that in ALL the stances, your toes should ALWAYS align with your knees.  In a standard stance, you get a great mix of the other two variations.

putting it all together:

So now that you know the different types of squat stances, it's time to put them into practice into your own workout routine.

If you want to take the guess work out of when to incorporate these squat variations, click the button below to check out workout programs that actually help you progress through harder movements over time.  After clicking, you'll see why a tried a true workout plan will help you achieve your fitness goals!

CLICK FOR WORKOUT ROUTINES THAT HAVE THIS ALL MAPPED OUT FOR YOU

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