Intensive Workout: Push Your Limits And Achieve Fitness Goals

The year 2021 is finally here. During the lockdown, most of us have settled into an unhealthy routine at home. To get your new year off to a healthy start, here’s our #21StartsABHI health challenge. We will be giving out 21 health habits for you to do every single day for the next 21 days this 2021. All you need to do is upload a video or photo of you doing the habit and share it on any social media platform with #21StartsABHI. Stand a chance to win FREE online fitness class subscriptions + Amazon vouchers. 

1. Which muscles do squats exercise?

Squats are a classic lower-body exercise. Adding this exercise as a part of your daily workout routine helps in activities like walking, climbing stairs, bending and carrying load. It also aids in boosting your strength and decreasing the risk of injury. This is a dynamic exercise where muscles of both the lower body and the upper body work simultaneously. 

Sumo squats or wide squats are one of the many variations of squats. The exercise primarily emphasises on the muscles of the inner thigh as well as the glutes, quads, hamstring, hip flexors, and calves. 

Start in a standing position with your feet wide apart (or shoulder-width apart) and with the toes pointing at an angle of 45 degree. Keep your core and abs engaged. Drop in to a squat, bending at the hips and knees, and ensuring at the same time, that the knees do not travel beyond your toes. You can either keep your hands locked behind your head or in front of your chest. While squatting, the back will be straight and the thighs will be parallel to the floor. Exhale as you come back up. This process is similar to gliding against a wall.   

2. Health benefits of doing squats daily?

Since your body is aligned at a different angle, the sumo squats help in maintaining balance. The exercise pays adequate attention to your core strength. For people who have hip issues, this is the exercise for you. Even one minute of this exercise goes a long way in improving your body posture and balance by strengthening the core and back muscles. You can do this exercise anywhere. There are many variations of sumo squats as well. Over a period of time, you can improve the benefits of squats by using resistant bands or with dumbbells or weights to take the challenge up a notch. 

In the long run, this intense cardio workout can help you stay healthy. Since so many muscles are worked at once in squats, it helps you lift heavy loads without straining your back or injuring yourself. Stay tuned to this series to get more such useful fitness tips. 

How can you take part in the contest?

• Follow us on Instagram @abchealthinsurance
• Watch #21StartsABHI habit for the day
• Upload pictures or videos of you doing the habit by tagging @abchealthinsurance and using hashtag #21StartsABHI
• Win Free online fitness class subscriptions + Amazon vouchers