More than any other exercise, squats are the best exercise for building mass and gaining weight. Not surprisingly many guys don’t do them. They aren’t usually a favorite lift for those in the gym. Why is that? Well there are several reasons. For one they are a difficult exercise. They also aren’t an upper body exercise and most women don’t typically drool over a guy who has big legs. There’s also a lot of wrong information out there about squats being bad for your knees and back.

The truth is though that as long as squats are done correctly they are great! No other exercise will give you the benefits that squats give you. Squatting actually causes your body to produce more testosterone which in turn helps you build more muscle which in turn burns fat. You also use your upper body when you squat much more than most people realize. Not only does is work your core muscles to support the weight but you also work your arms and back. As you increase the weight on your squats your upper body will adapt to help support the extra weight.

If you’ve been trying to build muscle but haven’t been squatting then you need to start right away. It’s imperative that you use proper form. I suggest you start out very light. Focus first on technique and get those stabilizer muscles used to supporting a little weight. Once your form is perfect slowly add some weight. Continue to add weight consistently. Perform a couple warm up sets first then do 5 sets of 5-6 reps to start with. Make sure that you don’t over do it right off the bat. Doing so can lead to injury or could cause you to be so sore that you won’t be able to work out for 2 weeks.

Correct form is critical with an exercise such as squats. If you have back pain or knee pain you probably aren’t doing them properly. Be sure that you look straight ahead. Keep your feet a little more than shoulder width apart. Point your toes out just a little. Keep your back straight. Squat down so that your thighs are parallel to the floor or slight past parallel. Make sure your knees stay behind the tips of your toes then push up.

Again, start out light. Don’t let your ego get in the way. Focus first on technique and on building up the support muscles before you start going heavy. Make sure that you are squatting safely using proper equipment such as a squat cage with safety bars and safety clamps in place. If possible have someone spot you.

Whether you’re new to bodybuilding or are simply looking for new tips to bust past a plateau GainWeightQuick.com is an excellent resource. It has some great information on learning how to gain weight by building muscle and strength.

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