Back Squat - Why and How

Why the Back Squat is essential for Athletic Development

        The Back Squat has been around since the beginning of weight training, and there is a reason for that. There is also a reason that it is included in almost every single athletic training program in existence. It works. From an efficiency standpoint, the Back Squat is one of the most effective and critical tools to improve overall athletic performance. The reason for this is that it develops the lower body as a multi-joint function, improving the strength, mobility, stability, and speed through end ranges of motion of a human's lower half. This is absolutely crucial from a performance standpoint, and no other movement can achieve the combined effectiveness of the Back Squat in this regard.
        Along with the increase of all the above variables comes an increase in mass. Mass is a highly sought after resource for many athletes. Muscular hypertrophy (functional mass) provides the added benefits of leverage, stability, and improves the COM (the center of mass). In sports such as (and not limited to) football, basketball, wrestling, weightlifting, track & field, these are very important aspects for boosting performance. The Back Squat will develop the musculature surrounding and below the hip girdle and this improvement will directly affect sports performance positively.    
       It stands to reason that developing a strong Back Squat is crucial for improving performance, and anyone who neglects they Back Squat is selling themselves short. Take two athletes in any school of discipline (barring obscure sports), and ceteris paribus (all things created equal), the athlete with the better Back Squat will 99 times out of 100 have better performance. So go SQUAT!

How does the Back Squat apply to everyone?

        I am not going to go on a spiel here about how "squats boost testosterone" or "squats facilitate the release of Growth Hormone". You can look that up on your own, or maybe I will write about it at a future date. BUT - It is my firm belief that any who learns the Back Squat correctly, efficiently, and effectively, will reap all the benefits of the "Why" variables, but applied to multiple areas of life. One does not have to be an 'athlete' in the traditional sense of the word, but anyone who does not consider their body a temple to be maintained, improved upon, and physically adept is being foolish. If you are reading this, then you are interested in improving upon your body in some way, shape, or form, which to me, means you are an athlete. From Merriam-Webster, the definition of athlete: "a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina" (www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/athlete). So start thinking and performing like one!
       I am not sure if I have to remind you, but you only have one body. Your body is this physical vessel which you use to navigate through our world doing our various tasks, many of which are essential to maintaining our health and happiness. Never neglect any aspect of that vessel! Having a strong, functionally massive and adequately mobile lower body will improve aspects of your physical navigation of this world that you would never expect. Not only that, but the feeling you get from crushing a squat PR is incredible.