Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Ever wondered what actually happens to your muscles when you lower into a squat?
If we tried to squat using only our skeleton without an active muscle system, the body would instantly collapse.
In this video, Muscle & Motion strips away the layers to show you exactly which muscles must fire to get you back up to a standing position.
Using our signature 3D anatomy animations, we break down the mechanics of the squat step by step.
We start with the quadriceps femoris and how it extends the knee to straighten the leg. From there, we explore how the gluteus maximus and the hamstrings connect to drive hip extension and lift the trunk.
You will also see how the contraction of the gastrocnemius and soleus pulls the tibia backward to prevent the knees from collapsing forward.
Finally, we look at how the spinal erectors and intra-abdominal pressure form a vital belt to stabilize the spine.
Video Timestamps
0:00 - What happens if you squat without muscles?
0:19 - The role of the Quadriceps Femoris
0:38 - Hip Extension: Gluteus Maximus and Hamstrings
1:15 - Why your knees collapse forward (Gastrocnemius and Soleus)
1:31 - Spine Stability: Erector Spinae and Core Pressure
1:52 - Final Summary of the Perfect Squat
For more videos, subscribe to our channel here on YouTube at the link below, and don’t forget to turn on notifications so you never miss one. @MuscleandMotion
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muscleandmotion.com/anterior-knee-pain
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Ever wondered what actually happens to your muscles when you lower into a squat?
If we tried to squat using only our skeleton without an active muscle system, the body would instantly collapse.
In this video, Muscle & Motion strips away the layers to show you exactly which muscles must fire to get you back up to a standing position.
Using our signature 3D anatomy animations, we break down the mechanics of the squat step by step.
We start with the quadriceps femoris and how it extends the knee to straighten the leg. From there, we explore how the gluteus maximus and the hamstrings connect to drive hip extension and lift the trunk.
You will also see how the contraction of the gastrocnemius and soleus pulls the tibia backward to prevent the knees from collapsing forward.
Finally, we look at how the spinal erectors and intra-abdominal pressure form a vital belt to stabilize the spine.
Video Timestamps
0:00 - What happens if you squat without muscles?
0:19 - The role of the Quadriceps Femoris
0:38 - Hip Extension: Gluteus Maximus and Hamstrings
1:15 - Why your knees collapse forward (Gastrocnemius and Soleus)
1:31 - Spine Stability: Erector Spinae and Core Pressure
1:52 - Final Summary of the Perfect Squat
For more videos, subscribe to our channel here on YouTube at the link below, and don’t forget to turn on notifications so you never miss one. @MuscleandMotion
WANT EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS NOT FOUND ON YOUTUBE?
Try Muscle & Motion apps and online courses today on all devices!
**Apps**
Strength app - muscleandmotion.com/strength-training-app
Posture app - muscleandmotion.com/posture
Anatomy app - muscleandmotion.com/muscular-anatomy-app
Yoga app - muscleandmotion.com/yoga-functional-anatomy-app
**Online Courses**
Anatomy and Biomechanics of Movement
muscleandmotion.com/online-course-anatomy-and-biomechanics-of-movement
Functional Training Anatomy - muscleandmotion.com/functional-training-anatomy
Anterior Knee Pain -
muscleandmotion.com/anterior-knee-pain
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Join over 7 million followers worldwide.
YouTube (1.2M followers) - @MuscleandMotion
Instagram (5.3M followers)- instagram.com/muscleandmotion
Facebook (3M followers) - facebook.com/muscleandmotion
TikTok (924K followers) - tiktok.com/@muscleandmotion
The Muscle & Motion team - muscleandmotion.com
