How to Do a Dumbbell Squats: Everything You Need to Know

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January 31, 2022

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If there is one exercise that is versatile, suitable for all and gives the best results, squats have to be the first choice. Over the years, this workout has become one of the most popular exercises. It has so many variations and modifications that you could even create a full-body workout right from a single squat. For instance, adding dumbbells to the classic squatting workout is also a great way to boost overall body strength. In this article, we are going to talk about such dumbbell squats to find if they are really effective. From the benefits to how to perform dumbbells squats and its best variations, you will get to know a lot. Let’s get started.

Dumbbell Squats: Basic Facts

Here are some basic facts about dumbbell squat workout. Keep in mind that the level of a dumbbell squat can vary depending on the weights and squat variation you are using.

Level: Beginners to Advanced

Equipment Required: Dumbbells

Muscles Worked:

During dumbbell squats you work on a plethora of muscles such as:

Quadriceps
Glutes maximus
Hamstrings
Soleus
Calves
Core muscles

How To Do Dumbbells Squats?

While there are plenty of dumbbell squat exercises, below we have discussed the standard variation. Try this movement and once you get comfortable with this workout at home or gym, you can move to more challenging dumbbell squats:

Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-wide distance.
Hold the dumbbells in each hand and keep your hands by your side.
Inhale and keep your back straight and body flexed.
Engage your core muscles and lower your body down by bending the knees. Keep bending the knees till your thighs are parallel to the ground. Make sure you have a strong grip on the dumbbells.
Straighten your legs to return to the initial position.
This is one rep. Repeat.

Notes:

If your body is not comfortable with weights(as in the case of beginners), start the squats without any weights. Once you become an expert, then shift to dumbbell squat workout. Also, don’t forget to warm up before the workout.

Variations:

If you wish to make your workout more fun and challenging, you can try the following dumbbell squats variations:

Dumbbell Sumo Squat: In this variation, you have to increase the distance between your feet and keep the toes pointing outwards. Also, there should be just one dumbbell that you have to grab with both your hands and keep to chest level. Dumbbell sumo squat is best for your quads, hamstrings, glutes, and lower back.
Dumbbell Front Squat: For this variation, you need to keep the dumbbells on your shoulder as you perform the squats. Make sure your head is straight and your shoulders are locked. Try dumbbell front squat to strengthen both your lower and upper body muscles.
Dumbbell Goblet Squat: Often touted as the safest weighted squat exercise, dumbbell goblet squat helps in building strong legs muscles. To do this, you have to hold a dumbbell vertically at your chest level.
Dumbbell Split Squat: A bit different from the variations mentioned so far, dumbbell split squat requires you to perform a lunge while doing squats. It is a bit difficult and requires more strength and stability.
Dumbbell Back Squat: To do a dumbbell back squat, just hold the dumbbells below your chin and lower your body till your elbows touch the knees. It is a great workout to improve body strength.

Is Squatting With Dumbbells Effective?

The answer is an absolute yes. This simple yet effective workout can engage multiple muscle groups in your body. Here are some of the best dumbbell squat benefits that make it a perfect workout:

• Stronger and Muscular Legs:

Since dumbbell squats engage all your major leg muscles, they play a vital role in the development of these muscles. It works on your glutes – gluteus maximus and medius – that are responsible for the larger production of your lower-body power. This, in turn, aids in your body’s stability and strength.

Further, you can also build mass in all your four quads (vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, and rectus femoris). These protect your knees and provide them stability. Hamstrings and calves also get strong with regular dumbbell squat exercises.

• Improved Core Strength:

A dumbbell squat is a typically lower-body workout but the exercise also focuses on your core muscles. As you push and pull your body up and down, the core muscles get engaged. Here we are not just referring to the abs but your entire torso. When you are holding the weights, your chest and back muscles also work to ensure stability. Dumbbell squats, in turn, strengthen your core as a whole.

• More Power and Endurance

Squats have also been known to improve your ability to jump but they also are quite effective in improving your body’s overall power ad endurance. This helps you in activities wherein sprinting, jumping, running, or moving weight is required. With strong legs, such things become easy and you experience more stamina and strength.

Other than these, dumbbells squat benefits also include:

It also improves the body’s mobility.
With strong legs and hips, you have fewer chances of injuries due to imbalance and weaknesses.
Squat also improves your joint strength that helps in preventing issues like arthritis.
You can use it as a weight loss exercise to burn belly fat.
It also boosts your natural hormone production, especially growth hormone and testosterone.
Better stability also leads to better body posture.
You can also decrease your back and neck pain with dumbbell squats.
Dumbbell squats variations such as dumbbell sumo squat also help in stretching the whole body and improving blood circulation.
Performing regular workout also boosts your mood and lower stress and anxiety levels.

The Bottom Line

With all such benefits and advantages, dumbbell squats do prove their effectiveness. If you have been planning to start a workout for the lower body, you must include dumbbells squat or its variation. However, it is recommended that you first learn the workout from an expert to understand the right technique and form. This will reduce the chances of any injury during the workout. Nowadays, there are also online workout classes available where you can learn from leading gym instructors while exercising at home. Try them and start your fitness journey soon.

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