Get the Perfect Squat: 5 Easy Tips

Master your squat form and get the most out of your workouts with these 5 tips to get the perfect squat. You don't need to spend your life savings on a personal trainer; just follow these simple guidelines.

Squats! With an exclamation point. Because they're my favorite.

Squats are one of the most versatile and effective exercises you can do. They work your glutes, quads, hamstrings, core and back. And, if you add weights, they can quickly turn into a full body workout.

I love that squats leave me sore for days and that there are so many variations - back squats, front squats, overheads squats, goblet squats, curtsey squats...just to name a few.

Although it's a relatively simple movement, there are a few things you can do to perfect your form and ensure you're getting the most out of your squats.

Our Top 5 Tips for Great Squats

Although it's a relatively simple movement, there are a few things you can do to perfect your form and ensure you're getting the most out of your squats.

1. The Best Foot Position for Squats

For the best squat form, keep your feet just wider than hip-width apart.

Narrow feet can be really challenging unless you're super flexible. Too wide and it turns into a sumo squat.

The goal is to be able to comfortably squat down to where your hip crease is parallel with your knees without your heels coming up or your back coming forward. More on those shortly.

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2. The Best Knee Position for Squats

Make sure to keep your knees pressing out so they stay right in line over your toes.

It's common for athletes to let their knees collapse in during squats, which can cause injury. While you squat, keep thinking, "Knees out, knees out," especially while you're coming up.

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3. Where Should Your Weight be During Squats?

Keep your weight in your heels.

It's easy to roll forward and let your quads take over (story of my life...), but to maximize your efforts, it's important to keep that weight back in your heels. This helps you activate your glutes and stay balanced.

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4. The Best Body Position for Squats

Have you seen those people squat who look like they're doing a full on forward bend? Yeah....that's wrong.

While you're squatting, especially as you get towards the bottom and come back up, keep your chest up. Leaning forward is bad for your entire body, and if you're using weight, it's really dangerous.

If you find yourself leaning forward, check in with yourself and make sure you're only going down as far as you can while keeping your back straight. If you add weight and start to lean, back off the weight. You're better off using lighter weights and keeping your form in check, and you will get stronger more quickly staying strong and tight.

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5. About That Core...

You've gotta use it!

Yes, squats are a full-body exercise and in order to get the most out of your squats, you've gotta make sure you engage that core. If you don't, you'll lack stability. And 6-pack abs.

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The Best Floors for Squats

So, now that you're a squatting pro, let's take things seriously and get you the right gear. Squats are great because you can do them with or without weights, but what you do need is a workout mat or some gym tiles to protect your subfloor and provide added stability and resilience.