Strong legs are an important part of muscular fitness. The legs and buttocks are the body's strongest muscles and form the foundation for the rest of your body's strength. There are numerous leg machines on the market, but for effective training, few match the power squat, and few pieces of exercise equipment match the simplicity and utility of the squat stand. Squat stands are an old standby in both health clubs and home gyms, and it's not unusual to see squat racks that have held up for decades. Often nothing more than a metal frame designed to support the weight of a barbell, the squat rack is a simple piece of equipment that works by providing a platform from which to hoist weight and depost it once the exercise is complete.

A Little Information About Squats

Squats are among the most basic of weightlifting exercises. The squats your father did twenty years ago are little different from the squats you do today. As the name suggests, the exercise is done by squatting over the heels and then rising, a natural movement that stresses the thigh muscles, the calves, and the muscles of the lower back. Squatting is a controlled movement that should ideally be supervised by a training partner, especially if a barbell is being used, and always if the barbell is heavy and otherwise unsupported.

But in terms of support for the exercise, a training partner will seldom be enough. Because the muscles of the lower body are so strong, the weight used in squatting exercises can be substantial, which presents real risks if done improperly. Utilizing a weight training partner is an excellent approach to use in squatting, but few people in the world are strong enough to catch a one hundred, two hundred, or three hundred pound barbell as it falls off your shoulders. That's why a squat stand is so important- it provides a sturdy backup for whatever weight that you might have to drop- and places the barbell at the optimal height for completing the exercise.

Squat Safety & Buying

What's important to consider in a squat stand? Because a squat rack is such an important safety measure, buyers should take special care to look for quality equipment. That means heavy, all-metal construction, with reinforced welded seams. It means equipment that doesn't wobble and that sits level on the floor. It means no cracks and no sharp or jagged parts. If possible, look for equipment from top-rated fitness manufacturers, companies such as Precor, York, and Icarian Fitness Equipment. Pay special care when considering used squat stands, and if you're buying equipment from a remanufactured fitness equipment dealer, be sure to get it with a guarantee.

Squat Stand Alternatives

While squats can provide a solid foundation exercise for the hamstrings and quadriceps, and provide good overall hip strengthening, there is other home gym equipment that can promote leg and lower body strength. Thigh machines are one example. Thigh machines come in a variety of forms and generally work by providing leg extensions (a bending and unbending motion of the leg, usually from a seated position). While a decent power squat can strengthen the entire leg, various thigh machines may target more specific lower body muscles groups. When used together, the thigh machine and power squat can complement each other extremely well.

Which squat stand should you purchase for your home gym? The choice is generally between basic, traditional equipment and more sophisticated exercise equipment such as the popular Smith Machine, which uses counter-balanced weight to provide enhanced squat safety and even out the motion. Whichever squat stand you purchase, remember to keep safety as your number one concern.