If you are someone who would like to preserve your independence, your ability to enjoy getting out of the house and participating in life, as well as reduce your chances of needing hip or knee replacement surgery, squats are for you.
The reason why squats are the most important exercise for maintaining function as you age is that, when trained correctly, squats promote the three most critical physical qualities: strong legs, strong back, and strong core. Which in turn, also promote healthy hips, knees, and low back.
If you have strong legs, a strong back, and a strong core you aren’t going to have problems getting off the floor, getting off the toilet or a low chair, getting up or down off the curb, stepping up onto the bus, picking up objects off the floor, etc.
If you don’t have strong legs, a strong back, and a strong core then whatever other strength you might have isn’t going to do you a lot of good. Unless you’re willing to crawl around on all fours, your upper body strength doesn’t count for much in terms of keeping you mobile.
If you did nothing else but train squats twice per week while focusing on progressing your depth and slowly adding resistance you would be ahead of most people who spend an hour in the gym three to four days per week doing lots of cardio and machine-based isolations but who don’t train their squat with intention…
If you would like professional guidance in how to best invest in your ‘functional 401(k)’, my name is Nick Derstine. I’ve been helping expats in Cuenca build functional strength since 2023.
I coach out of Target Gym on Ordonez Lasso. Message me on WhatsApp for rates.
Nick, +1 (520) 730 3474
Address: Ordóñez Lasso and Calle de las Claves, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador
