Squatting is a versatile posture where the weight of the body is on the feet but the knees and hips are bent. In contrast, sitting involves supporting the weight of the body on the ischial tuberosities of the pelvis, with the lower buttocks in contact with the ground or a horizontal object. The angle between the legs when squatting can vary from zero to widely splayed out, flexibility permitting. Another variable may be the degree of forward tilt of the upper body from the hips. Squatting may be either full or partial.
Vietnamese children squatting
A Havasupai man crouching
A gopnik "slav squat"
A U.S. Marine Corps officer candidate squatting as an exercise
A squat is a strength exercise in which the trainee lowers their hips from a standing position and then stands back up. During the descent, the hip and knee joints flex while the ankle joint dorsiflexes; conversely the hip and knee joints extend and the ankle joint plantarflexes when standing up. Squats also help the hip muscles.
Bodyweight squat
Kirk Karwoski completing a heavy squat in competition. Note the spotters either side of him and the power cage which the barbell was lifted out of.
A barbell pad reduces pressure from the steel barbell on the back. This may reduce discomfort. Some pad designs are straight and some have an indented centre to further reduce the risk of direct pressure to the spine.
The hack squat as pictured page 70 of George Hackenschmidt's book The Way to Live (1908)
