The potty squat is a bodyweight exercise that targets the abs while also engaging the quadriceps and glutes. It involves squatting down as if sitting on a chair, maintaining a straight back and upright chest, and then returning to a standing position.
Quick Facts
How to Do Potty Squat
Follow these step-by-step instructions to perform Potty Squat with proper form and technique.
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes pointing slightly outward.
- Lower your body down by bending your knees and pushing your hips back as if you were sitting on a chair.
- Keep your chest up and your back straight throughout the movement.
- Lower yourself until your thighs are parallel to the ground or as low as you can comfortably go.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your heels to return to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Muscles Worked
Understanding which muscles Potty Squat targets helps you integrate it effectively into your training program.
Target Muscles
These are the main muscles responsible for performing the movement and receive the greatest training stimulus.
Secondary Muscles
These muscles assist in the movement and receive secondary training benefits.
Benefits of Potty Squat
Incorporating Potty Squat into your workout routine offers numerous advantages for strength, muscle development, and overall fitness.
- Abs Development: Potty Squat directly targets and strengthens the Abs, promoting muscle growth and improved functional strength.
- Secondary Muscle Engagement: This exercise also works the Quadriceps and Glutes, providing additional training stimulus without extra exercises.
- Convenience and Accessibility: This exercise requires no equipment, making it perfect for home workouts, travel, or when gym access is limited.
- Functional Strength: Strength exercises like Potty Squat build real-world strength that transfers to daily activities and athletic performance.
- Beginner-Friendly: This exercise is accessible to those new to fitness, with a movement pattern that's relatively easy to learn with proper instruction.
Safety Tips and Precautions
Performing Potty Squat safely is essential for preventing injuries and ensuring long-term progress.
- Warm Up Properly: Before performing Potty Squat, complete 5-10 minutes of light cardio followed by dynamic stretches targeting the Abs and surrounding muscles.
- Prioritize Form Over Weight: Never sacrifice proper technique for heavier weights. Poor form significantly increases injury risk and reduces the exercise's effectiveness.
- Progress Gradually: Master easier progressions before attempting advanced variations. Ensure your supporting surface is stable.
- Respect Your Range of Motion: Work within your current mobility limits. Gradually improve flexibility over time rather than forcing deeper positions.
- Don't Hold Your Breath: Maintain consistent breathing throughout the exercise. Exhale during the exertion phase and inhale during the easier phase.
- Know When to Stop: End your set when you can no longer maintain proper form. Training to absolute failure on every set increases injury risk.
- Allow Adequate Recovery: The Abs typically need 48-72 hours to recover after intense training. Avoid training the same muscle group on consecutive days.
Tracking Your Progress
To make consistent gains with Potty Squat, track these metrics during your workouts:
Track the number of sets you complete. Most training programs recommend 3-5 sets per exercise.
Record your repetitions per set. Adjust rep ranges based on your goals: 1-5 for strength, 6-12 for hypertrophy, 12+ for endurance.