The squat is a compound, full body exercise that trains the muscles of the thighs, hips and buttocks, quadriceps, hamstrings, as well as strengthening the bones, ligaments and tendons throughout your lower body.
Squats are considered one of the big three lifting exercises for increased strength and size of the legs and glutes, as well as developing core strength. The lower back, the upper back, the abdominals, shoulders and arms are all essential to the exercise and are trained when squatting with proper form.