Foundation X

Squat Damnit!

There is nothing more functional, nothing more applicable, and nothing SAFER in training than the squat.

End of story. I don't want to hear it. Scream whatever kind of sharing forces, compressive forces, lower back issues you want to. If you move through your day on two feet on a regular basis, you should be doing some sort of squatting.

You squat every morning getting out of bed, every time you get up from your morning constitutional, get out of the car, up off the subway seat... You squat. Shouldn't you practice to be better, more efficient and stronger at it? Knee problems, hip issues, lower back problems; there is a variant of the squat that can and actually will help you improve. That having been said, if you have any of those issues, remember, consult a licensed professional before taking on any physically exertive activities.

Why? You're working posture, coordination, legs, hips, back, shoulders, proprioception and balance, just to name a few. The sheer act of walking is a form of reciprocating unilateral squat. So find something, put it on the ground or some place that lends its self to easy loading and PICK IT UP!!

Now, when we want to take this a step further and get seriously efficient with your time, we'll talk about overhead squatting.