I can practically assure you’re not front squatting enough or in any way. For some reason, you don’t see a lot of gym goers (particularly bodybuilders) making use of this time-tested workout.

Crossfit has gone a long way off towards bringing it back, but if you’re not performing crossfit - it’s probably not even on your system.

This is a shame because if you want to get full body strength build awesome quads sculpt rock-hard abs and save your “tweaked” lower back then you’re going to enjoy the front squat.

Here’s a couple of reasons why you have to squat for a lean, hard, athletic physique:

1. Get Improved Quads - The front squat is an EXCELLENT movement to get bigger, stronger quads-probably the finest training there is. As you’re position is more straight, it points out the quads more.

Get Abs of Steel (Core) - Because you’re holding the weight before your body, and you should keep upright your total core gets a great training trying to stabilize the weight and keep you straight. If you find you’re leaning forward a lot when you back squat, you’ll quickly get stronger and fix this problem if you transfer to front squats for a moment or two.

Front squats aren’t just good for building a better looking body either! They’re also really good at just making you more fit and keeping you more healthy. What good is looking strong if you have to sacrifice your health in the process?

Here’s the five other reasons why you should Front Squat for better health:

1. Makes Your Other Lifts Better - Because the bar is placed before you, on your shoulders, the front squat is very much like other exercises and strengthens the “base” of those lifts/presses. Power Cleans, Overhead Presses, Overhead Squats, and the like all share the same “starting” position as the front squat. Getting stronger and more comfortable with Front Squats will help you in those exercises also.

2. Bad Form Gets Self-Corrected - If you’re back squatting with bad form you can finish the exercise at the price of causing damage to yourself. The benefit about front squats is the form is self correcting: If you’re not straight enough you’ll drop the bar if you’re not holding the bar correctly you’ll drop it if you don’t keep your elbows up you’ll drop it. It’s a physical activity that pretty much forces your form to be great.

3. Less Weight - Generally speaking, if you can urge your body with less weight (because you’re doing a harder workout) then it is safer. Since the Front Squat is harder than Back Squats you won’t be able to lift as much weight. Which means a lesser amount of spinal compression.

4. More Natural Spine Position - You’re more upright with the front squat your spine is in a more balanced “straight” position. This combined with the fact you’re lifting a smaller amount of weight is beneficial for your spine in time.

5. Lower Back Approved - Most people have lower back problems and back squats exacerbate these conditions. But because your upper body is usually vertical (instead of leaning forward like in a back squat) there’s a lesser amount of force on your lower back. I started front squatting after I hurt my lower back.