Squatting
Replies
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Teabythesea_ wrote: »Teabythesea_ wrote: »Cahgetsfit wrote: »Oh - and by the way - I have seen people squat their butts off and have almost no results because not actually squeezing the glutes. You should be squeeeeeeeezing them glutes HARD.
No, you really shouldn't. People see minimal to no glute growth with squats because squats are not a glute dominant exercise. When squatting, your glutes are the most engaged at the bottom of the squat, which is why people say that you can target the glutes more by going "a** to grass" or doing pause squats. However, most people don't do this when squatting, hence the lack of glute growth. Squeezing them really hard in a position where they're not engaged does about as much as standing and repeatedly squeezing your glutes does. On top of that, excessively squeezing them can cause a posterior pelvic tilt which can cause an injury under a heavy load (obviously this doesn't pertain to OP). I'm not really sure where the idea of excessively squeezing the glutes in a squat came from but what you should be doing is externally rotating the hips. While this does cause you to squeeze your glutes some, it's not for the purpose of activating them, but rather to prevent your knees from going inward and neutralizing/stabilizing your lumbar spine.
Glad someone said it! This is what I was thinking as I read through this. Squats aren't really the best exercise if you are wanting to target your glutes. They should help with your thighs though. And I would agree with those who are recommending following a program - they really do work.
You cant spot reduce fat, so there aren't really exercises that can target your "love handles."
As for targeting the glutes, hip thrusts, glute bridges, hip/back extension, kick backs, abduction exercises, etc. The glutes are actually three different muscles so variety is important, but any of these would be better than squats alone and can be done bodyweight. However, you definitely wont see as much growth as you would if you incorporate weight.
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Teabythesea_ wrote: »Cahgetsfit wrote: »Oh - and by the way - I have seen people squat their butts off and have almost no results because not actually squeezing the glutes. You should be squeeeeeeeezing them glutes HARD.
No, you really shouldn't. People see minimal to no glute growth with squats because squats are not a glute dominant exercise. When squatting, your glutes are the most engaged at the bottom of the squat, which is why people say that you can target the glutes more by going "a** to grass" or doing pause squats. However, most people don't do this when squatting, hence the lack of glute growth. Squeezing them really hard in a position where they're not engaged does about as much as standing and repeatedly squeezing your glutes does. On top of that, excessively squeezing them can cause a posterior pelvic tilt which can cause an injury under a heavy load (obviously this doesn't pertain to OP). I'm not really sure where the idea of excessively squeezing the glutes in a squat came from but what you should be doing is externally rotating the hips. While this does cause you to squeeze your glutes some, it's not for the purpose of activating them, but rather to prevent your knees from going inward and neutralizing/stabilizing your lumbar spine.
Glad someone said it! This is what I was thinking as I read through this. Squats aren't really the best exercise if you are wanting to target your glutes. They should help with your thighs though. And I would agree with those who are recommending following a program - they really do work.
Have you tried Pilates? There are lots of Pilates moves that target lower body and pretty much all work your core too.
Additionally for legs and glutes - hip bridges, forward lunges, reverse lunges, side leg raises, donkey kicks to name a few options
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Teabythesea_ wrote: »Cahgetsfit wrote: »Oh - and by the way - I have seen people squat their butts off and have almost no results because not actually squeezing the glutes. You should be squeeeeeeeezing them glutes HARD.
No, you really shouldn't. People see minimal to no glute growth with squats because squats are not a glute dominant exercise. When squatting, your glutes are the most engaged at the bottom of the squat, which is why people say that you can target the glutes more by going "a** to grass" or doing pause squats. However, most people don't do this when squatting, hence the lack of glute growth. Squeezing them really hard in a position where they're not engaged does about as much as standing and repeatedly squeezing your glutes does. On top of that, excessively squeezing them can cause a posterior pelvic tilt which can cause an injury under a heavy load (obviously this doesn't pertain to OP). I'm not really sure where the idea of excessively squeezing the glutes in a squat came from but what you should be doing is externally rotating the hips. While this does cause you to squeeze your glutes some, it's not for the purpose of activating them, but rather to prevent your knees from going inward and neutralizing/stabilizing your lumbar spine.
Glad someone said it! This is what I was thinking as I read through this. Squats aren't really the best exercise if you are wanting to target your glutes. They should help with your thighs though. And I would agree with those who are recommending following a program - they really do work.
Have you tried Pilates? There are lots of Pilates moves that target lower body and pretty much all work your core too.
Additionally for legs and glutes - hip bridges, forward lunges, reverse lunges, side leg raises, donkey kicks to name a few options
That’s going to be really individual so I can’t really. I incorporate a lot of lower body strength moves with my cardio twice a week when I go to Jazzercize. I also lift heavy a few days a week - I choose which muscles to work at the gym based on what isn’t sore or hasn’t been worked recently. I also enjoy boxing and trail running. My personal training is more about diverse workouts that keep it fun and ensure my whole body is working during the week.1 -
Teabythesea_ wrote: »Cahgetsfit wrote: »Oh - and by the way - I have seen people squat their butts off and have almost no results because not actually squeezing the glutes. You should be squeeeeeeeezing them glutes HARD.
No, you really shouldn't. People see minimal to no glute growth with squats because squats are not a glute dominant exercise. When squatting, your glutes are the most engaged at the bottom of the squat, which is why people say that you can target the glutes more by going "a** to grass" or doing pause squats. However, most people don't do this when squatting, hence the lack of glute growth. Squeezing them really hard in a position where they're not engaged does about as much as standing and repeatedly squeezing your glutes does. On top of that, excessively squeezing them can cause a posterior pelvic tilt which can cause an injury under a heavy load (obviously this doesn't pertain to OP). I'm not really sure where the idea of excessively squeezing the glutes in a squat came from but what you should be doing is externally rotating the hips. While this does cause you to squeeze your glutes some, it's not for the purpose of activating them, but rather to prevent your knees from going inward and neutralizing/stabilizing your lumbar spine.
Glad someone said it! This is what I was thinking as I read through this. Squats aren't really the best exercise if you are wanting to target your glutes. They should help with your thighs though. And I would agree with those who are recommending following a program - they really do work.
Have you tried Pilates? There are lots of Pilates moves that target lower body and pretty much all work your core too.
Additionally for legs and glutes - hip bridges, forward lunges, reverse lunges, side leg raises, donkey kicks to name a few options
That is where following a program comes in handy, even a bodyweight one like Strong Curves. It tells you the exercises, sets, reps and days to workout.4 -
I was also thinking OP, if you absolutely do not want to follow a program (which of course I will add is the most optimal way) until you get more comfortable or ready, an alternative I found if you YouTube Bret Contreras glute circuit/home workout or Sohee Lee Glute circuits. Keep in mind they are only glute focused so no upper or anything. They are pretty good and you can do those 3x per week to start. You might need small resistance bands or even dumbells to make it challenging and they are fun to do and will get you introduced to the movements. I do these when I am away from my home gym.2
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Walking lunges may do the trick better than squats for your glutes. Focus on the glutes to lift not the back leg when rising. Strong Curves is a good program and can help you achieve the focus. Also it can help with progression.1
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Look up Hip Hop Tabata on YouTube with Keira Lashae (spelling of that name may not be quite right). I've been adding these into my weekly picks, I only do at home workouts. There is a reason the video vixens all have such fine legs (oh my thighs!).0
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