10 Squat Variations + The Northface Mountain Athletics Gear

10 Squat Variations + The Northface Mountain Athletics Gear

So, I actually haven’t taken off my florescent pink jacket in over a week. It is SO SOFT and it fits me life a glove. I love that it isn’t skin tight, yet it’s form fitting.

Today I am partnering with The Northface to bring you 10 of my favorite squat variations that I’ve been working into my workouts. When The Northface asked me to partner with them it was an instant yes because I am a HUGE FAN of their customer service. Plus, my Northface parka is literally the reason I survive winter each year.

In today’s post, I am wearing their Mountain Athletics from The North Face, which uses engineered materials that stretch, flex and move with your most rigorous workout. Hence the reason why I am squatting in this stuff below It’s also made with a FlashDryXD, a technology that keeps you dry (it won’t snag, pill, or pull, either!). The worst is sweating when it’s semi cold out and freezing your butt off afterwards.

What I’m wearing….

Both are equally as mobile and super comfortable! I love the thumbholes and the high neck in the zip up (and the fact that it’s a zip up!). It’s also lightweight, but warm if need be. The capris are seamless, which is a HUGE win in my book. They’re form fitting and they stretch with your body. The worst is feeling the seams rip when you’re squatting.

I’ve added the Fave Capri to my wishlist, along with every color of the Suprema Hoodie

As for putting the gear to a sweat test. Ding ding ding. I powered out all different kinds of squats including a plank and burpee variation. Check out 10 of my favorite squat variations that I like to incorporate into the yoga sculpt classes that I teach and my own workouts!

Squat Variations

• Bodyweight Squat: Begin with feet hip-width distance apart. As you inhale, lower down keeping the weight in your heels and chest lifted. As you exhale, drive through your heels and stand back up.
• Horse Squat: Begin in horse pose, a wide stance with your heels in, toes out, and a slight tuck inward with your tailbone. As you inhale, lower down keeping the weight in your heels and chest lifted. As you exhale, drive through your heels and stand back up.
• Figure-4 Squat: Begin in figure-4 pose, with your left ankle on top of your right thigh balancing on your right leg. As you inhale, lower down keeping the weight in your heel and chest lifted. As you exhale, drive through your heel and stand back up.
• Squat Pulses: Begin with feet hip-width distance apart. As you inhale, lower down, keeping the weight in your heels and chest lifted. Pulse your squat up and down (micro movement!), staying relatively low in your stance.
• Froggy Squat: Begin in a froggy squat, with your heels in, toes out, and back flat (the weight should be in your heels not your toes!). As you inhale, raise your booty to the sky, keeping a flat back. As you exhale, lower back down into froggy squat.
• Jump Squat: Begin with feet hip-width distance apart. As you inhale, lower down keeping the weight in your heels and chest lifted. As you exhale, explode off the ground jumping up.
• Chair Squat: Begin with feet together and thighs together. As you inhale, lower down keeping the weight in your heels and chest lifted. Squeeze your thighs together on the way down. As you exhale, drive through your heels and stand back up.
• Sumo Squat: Begin in a wide stance (not as wide as horse pose), with your heels inward and your toes slightly outward. As you inhale, lower down keeping the weight in your heels and chest lifted. As you exhale, drive through your heels and stand back up.
• Out and In (Plyo) Squat: Begin with feet a little wider than hip-width distance apart. As you inhale, lower down keeping the weight in your heels and chest lifted. As you exhale, explode of the ground landing with your feet together. Lower down into a chair squat and explode back up into a regular squat.
• Plank to Squat Squat: Begin in froggy squat with your heels in, toes out and back flat (the weight should be in your heels not your toes!). Plant your hands on the ground and explode your feet back into a high plank pose. Jump back into your froggy squat with the weight in your heels and lift your chest up high.

I’m super excited to be able to offer a reader a chance to win a $500 gift card to The Northface!

Download the Mountain Athletics App // Check out The North Face, Facebook for even more! // #ITrainFor // Make sure to follow The North Face on Twitter

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The North Face for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Original article and pictures take fitfoodiefinds.com site