Exercise: Medicine Ball Squats

Objective: Increase tone and strength of the hamstrings, lower gluteals, and quadriceps muscles.

Description: Stand up straight with your feet about shoulders width apart, holding the medicine ball between your two hands and right in front of you with your elbows straight. You are now ready to perform the exercise.

• Step One: Holding the ball in front of you with both hands, bend your knees and drop your buttock down as far as you can go (if you are doing this exercise to rehabilitate a surgically repaired knee, only go down until your thighs are horizontal with the floor). This is the squat.

• Step Two: Hold this position for 1-2 seconds.
• Step Three: Straighten out your legs to a full standing position again.
• Step Four: Hold this position for 1-2 seconds.
• Step five Repeat 10-15 times.

Need a medicine ball? We've got 'em! Click on this link and get one or more: Medicine Balls

Warning: Therapeutic exercises should not significantly increase pain during the exercise. Increased pain or symptoms could be a sign of a more serious condition and you should consult your health care professional for guidance.