Step 1: The bar should be at chest level before stepping under it. Step under the bar and grasp the bar with the palms facing down, wrapping your thumb around the bar. Your hands should be wider than shoulder-width and your elbows should be bent. The bar should be placed where you feel the most comfortable – either on the traps (high-bar) or just below on the back of the shoulders (low-bar).
Step 2: Before unracking the bar, fill your diaphragm full of air and tighten your core area. Keep your chest up and your lower back arched, straightening your hips and knees to unrack the bar.
Step 3: Take one step backward with either foot and then another step backward with the other foot, making sure your feet are in line. Your stance should be around shoulder-width for a close-stance squat, with your toes pointed out. Shift your weight onto your heels.
Step 4: To begin the movement, push your hips and glutes back, pushing your knees outward as they begin to bend. Your chest should remain up, looking straight ahead while your back remains tight and your lower back arched. Continue to grip the bar hard and keep your elbows underneath the bar.
Step 5: Continue to descend until the tops of your thighs are parallel or just below parallel. Reaching parallel is the minimum depth you should shoot for. As mentioned above, keep your body tight and elbows underneath the bar. Lower the bar in a controlled motion, but try not to go too slow or just drop to parallel.
Step 6: Once you reach your desired depth, return to the starting position by pushing your heels into the floor. Imagine pushing the floor away from you as you return to the starting position. Drive your elbows underneath the bar and explode up. The hips and torso should rise together, and continue to grip the bar hard while arching and squeezing your back.
Step 7: Take another breath between reps, exhaling only when reps are completed. Repeat until the desired reps are reached and then rack the weight. Heavier weight can be used between sets.
Benefits:
The squat is often referred to as the King of all Exercises and that often rings true. It is the premier movement for building a big, powerful and strong lower body, working your legs like no other exercise can.
When done correctly, the squat hits every area of your leg, allowing you to develop muscle in your quadriceps, hamstrings, calves and every other minor muscle in your leg.
There are numerous benefits to the squat, but proper form is also crucial to stay healthy and to get the most out of the exercise. It is best to learn perfect form with lighter weight, mastering the finer points of the movement before heavier weight is added.
Step 1: Stand behind the bar with your feet inside shoulder-width (how close together depends on your preference), with your toes slightly pointing out. The bar should be in front of your shins, but not touching them at this point, with the balls of your feet under the bar. Step 2: Squat down to the bar, firmly grasping the bar just outside...
Step 1: Place a Plyo Box about six inches in front of you and pick up a pair of dumbbells. Wrap your thumbs around the dumbbell tightly and make sure your palms are facing your body. Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart with your arms by your sides. Your back and core should be tightened. Step 2: Shift your hips back and then...
Step 1: Keeping your body upright and your core tight, lift one foot off the floor and step forward. You should step far enough forward so that your thigh can become parallel with the floor. Keep your body upright, keeping the weight of your body in the center. Avoid driving your hips forward, which would cause you to lean too far forward. ...
Step 1: Grab dumbbells with palms facing you and thumbs wrapped tightly around dumbbell (you can also attach ankle weights if you want). Stand up and keep dumbbells by your side. Step 2: Keeping your body upright and your core tight, lift one foot off the floor and step forward. You should step far enough forward so that your thigh can...
Step 1: The bar should be at chest level before stepping under it. Step under the bar so that it is positioned under your shoulder. With your arms in line with your shoulders and your elbows pointing forward grasp the bar with the palms facing up, resting the bar in your index, middle and ring fingers. Your hands should be shoulder-width apart and...
Step 1:After loading weights, stand over a barbell with balls of your feet positioned under bar hip width or slightly wider than hip width apart. Squat down and grip bar with an overhand grip and slightly wider than shoulder-width. Your back should be arched tightly with your arms straight and your chest up. Step 2:Pushing from the toes and...
Step 1:After loading weights, stand over a barbell with balls of your feet positioned under bar hip width or slightly wider than hip width apart. Squat down and grip bar with a wide overhand grip. Your back should be arched tightly with your arms straight and your chest up. Step 2:Pushing from the toes and then transitioning to your mid-...
Step 1: Take a shoulder-width stance with your toes pointed slightly out. With both hands, grab bars on power rack or squat stands around hip level or slightly higher. These will only be used to keep you balanced. Step 2: Keeping your hips and waist straight, and keeping your core and back tight, bend your knees, pushing your knees...
Step 1: Sit on Leg Curl machine with your back firmly against back support. Place back of lower leg above padded lever. Your legs will be very slightly bent and about shoulder-width apart. Step 2: Grasp the handles on each side, keeping your back tight and your upper back firmly pressed into the support. Step 3: With a controlled...
Step 1: Sit on Leg Extension machine with your back firmly against back support. Place front of lower legs under padded lever. Your feet should be around shoulder-width apart or slightly closer. Step 2: Grasp the handles on each side, and slightly arch your back, keeping your back tight and your upper back firmly pressed into the support....
If you are not directed to the Trainer click HERE [1]
Links:
[1] http://musclepharm.com/trainer
[2] http://www.youtube.com/embed/Cz7sLZRLQ74
[3] http://www.youtube.com/embed/rTUI32E5vX8
[4] http://www.youtube.com/embed/x_flJZiNTo0
[5] http://www.youtube.com/embed/LEswE6AMqNQ
[6] http://musclepharm.com/exercise/coventional-deadlifts
[7] http://musclepharm.com/exercise/weighted-box-jump
[8] http://musclepharm.com/exercise/extreme-quad-stretch
[9] http://musclepharm.com/exercise/weighted-balance-lunge
[10] http://musclepharm.com/exercise/front-squat
[11] http://musclepharm.com/exercise/clean-and-press
[12] http://musclepharm.com/exercise/snatch
[13] http://musclepharm.com/exercise/sissy-squats
[14] http://musclepharm.com/exercise/seated-hamstring-curls
[15] http://musclepharm.com/exercise/leg-extension
