Okay, friends, let's be real for a second. How many of you have struggled with squats like I did? 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️ I used to go to the gym, drop down into a squat, and wonder why I wasn't feeling the burn in the right places—or worse, why my knees or lower back were sore after. 😅

But here's the thing: the squat is one of the most effective exercises out there, as long as you've got your form down! So today, I'm sharing the tips that helped me get it right. Let's get you squatting like a pro, Lykkers! 💪

1. Get Your Feet Right 👣

Alright, so the first thing I had to figure out was how to position my feet. At first, I was just standing with my feet about hip-width apart, and it didn't feel stable. But after a little experimenting, I found that a shoulder-width stance works best for me, with my toes pointing just slightly outward.

It's all about finding that solid base. Think of it like you're about to sit down in a chair—you want to make sure your feet are in the right place so you're balanced from the start. If your feet are in the right spot, you'll feel much more grounded and ready to squat! 🙌

2. Hinge at the Hips, Not Just the Knees 🤸‍♀️

This is where I was really messing up at first! Instead of hinging my hips back, I used to just bend my knees and go straight down. But when I started pushing my hips back—kind of like I was sitting into a chair—it all clicked. My chest stayed up, my back stayed straight, and I wasn't putting too much pressure on my knees.

Here's the trick: move your hips back first, and keep your knees behind your toes. It'll make all the difference in how your squat feels. 👌

3. How Low Should You Go? 🚨

Now, here's a big question: how low should you go? At first, I saw people going really deep into their squats and thought, “Should I be doing that?” But I realized there's no need to go super low right away.

My goal was to get my thighs parallel to the floor, and that's where I felt the most control and strength. If you're newer to squats, try to focus on getting that perfect parallel form first before trying to go deeper. It's all about what feels good for YOU. Don't rush it!

4. Keep That Chest Proud 💥

One thing that really helped me was making sure my chest was proud and lifted. At first, I'd look down at the floor or let my back round a little, but that messed up my form. Keeping your chest up and your shoulders back helps you maintain a strong, upright position.

Imagine you're holding a balloon in front of your chest—that's the position you want to keep while you squat! Engaging your core while you do this will also help keep your back safe. 🚀

5. Push Through Your Heels 🔥

Here's another game-changer for me: when I started pushing through my heels to come back up, everything felt way more controlled. At first, I was trying to push through my toes, but that wasn't working at all. Now, when I press my heels into the ground, I can feel it in my glutes and quads.

So, when you're coming back up from a squat, think about driving your heels into the ground. It'll give you a solid, stable base and activate all the right muscles. 💪

6. Practice, Practice, Practice 🔄

I know, I know, practice can be a bit boring sometimes. But trust me—consistent practice is key! The more I focused on my form and worked on getting it right, the better I felt with each squat. It took a little while to get comfortable, but it was totally worth it.

Start slow, and don't feel like you need to add weight right away. Mastering the bodyweight squat is a great starting point, and once you're confident, you can start adding weights. Just take it one step at a time, Lykkers! 😎

You Got This! 💪

And there you have it, Lykkers! Those are the tips that helped me get my squat form on point, and I hope they help you too. Remember: squats are all about quality over depth, and taking it slow will help you avoid injury. So don't rush through it—get that form down, and soon enough, you'll be feeling strong and ready to add some weights to your routine.

Have you tried any of these tips? Or do you have your own squat hacks? Drop a comment below, I'd love to hear what works for you! 👇 Let's chat and help each other out!

Happy squatting, everyone! 💥🏋️‍♀️