10 Effective Squat Exercises To Target Your Core

Squats are one of the most effective and valuable exercises you can do to strengthen your core. Squats can target your entire core, including your abdominal muscles, glutes, hamstrings and lower back muscles. They also help improve balance, stability and posture.

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When done correctly, squats can be an incredibly useful tool in strengthening and toning your body. They’re a great way to get a full body workout and build strength in your core.

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In this article, we’ll look at 10 effective squat exercises you can use to target your core. We’ll provide detailed instructions for each exercise, so you can safely and effectively perform them.

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1. Standard Squat

The standard squat is the most basic and widely used type of squat. It’s a great way to target your core and build strength in your lower body. To perform a standard squat, follow these steps:

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• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your toes pointing slightly outward.
• Bend your knees and lower your hips, as if you were sitting in a chair. Keep your chest up and your back straight.
• Lower yourself until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Your knees should stay behind your toes.
• Pause at the bottom of the squat and push yourself back up to the starting position.

2. Sumo Squat

The sumo squat is similar to the standard squat, but your feet are wider apart and you keep your chest up higher during the exercise. To perform a sumo squat, follow these steps:

• Start by standing with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart and your toes pointing outward.
• Keep your chest up and slowly lower your hips until your thighs are parallel to the ground. Your knees should stay behind your toes.
• Pause at the bottom of the squat and then push yourself back up to the starting position.

3. Jump Squat

Jump squats are a great way to add intensity to your workout and target your core. To perform a jump squat, follow these steps:

• Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your toes pointing outward.
• Lower your body into a squat position and then explosively jump up as high as you can.
• Land softly with bent knees and immediately lower yourself back into a squat.
• Repeat the movement for desired reps.

4. Split Squat

Split squats are a great way to target your core while increasing stability and balance. To perform a split squat, follow these steps:

• Start by standing with one foot forward and one foot back. Make sure your feet are about hip-width apart.
• Bend your front leg and lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the ground. Keep your chest up and your back straight.
• Pause at the bottom of the squat and then press through your front heel to return to the starting position.
• Repeat on the other side.

5. Single Leg Squat

Single leg squats are a great way to increase stability and build strength in your core. To perform a single leg squat, follow these steps:

• Start by standing on one leg with your arms outstretched for balance.
• Slowly lower your body into a squat, keeping your chest up and your back straight. Make sure to keep your weight on the heel of your standing leg.
• Pause at the bottom of the squat and then press through your heel to return to the starting position.
• Repeat on the other side.

6. Weighted Squat

Weighted squats are a great way to increase the intensity of your workout and build strength in your core. To perform a weighted squat, follow these steps:

• Start by holding a dumbbell or kettlebell in both hands at shoulder height.
• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your toes pointing slightly outward.
• Bend your knees and lower your hips, as if you were sitting in a chair. Keep your chest up and your back straight.
• Lower yourself until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Your knees should stay behind your toes.
• Pause at the bottom of the squat and push yourself back up to the starting position.
• Repeat for desired reps.

7. Plie Squat

The plie squat is a great way to target your inner thighs and core. To perform a plie squat, follow these steps:

• Start by standing with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart and your toes pointing outward.
• Bend your knees and lower your hips, as if you were sitting in a chair. Keep your chest up and your back straight.
• Lower yourself until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Your knees should stay behind your toes.
• Pause at the bottom of the squat and push yourself back up to the starting position.

8. Step Up Squat

Step up squats are a great way to target your lower body and core. To perform a step up squat, follow these steps:

• Start by standing in front of a box, bench or step and place one foot on top of it.
• Bend your knee and lower your body until your opposite foot is flat on the ground. Keep your chest up and your back straight.
• Push through your heel to stand up and bring your opposite foot up onto the box or step.
• Lower your body back down until your opposite foot is flat on the ground.
• Repeat the movement for desired reps.

9. Wall Sit Squat

Wall sit squats are a great way to target your core and build strength in your lower body. To perform a wall sit squat, follow these steps:

• Start by standing with your back against a wall and your feet shoulder-width apart.
• Slide your back down the wall until your thighs are parallel to the ground.
• Hold the squat position for 30 seconds to 1 minute, making sure to keep your chest up and your back straight.
• Slide back up the wall to return to the starting position.

10. Bulgarian Split Squat

The Bulgarian split squat is an advanced variation of the squat that targets your core and builds strength in your lower body. To perform a Bulgarian split squat, follow these steps:

• Start by standing with one foot forward and one foot back on a bench or step. Make sure your feet are about hip-width apart.
• Bend your front leg and lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the ground. Keep your chest up and your back straight.
• Pause at the bottom of the squat and then press through your front heel to return to the starting position.
• Repeat on the other side.

Squats are an incredibly effective exercise for targeting your core and building strength in your lower body. There are many different variations of squats you can do, each with its own benefits. In this article, we looked at 10 effective squat exercises you can use to target your core.

We provided detailed instructions for each exercise, so you can safely and effectively perform them. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start doing squats!