What muscles do squats work?

Squats are a compound exercise that engages multiple muscle groups throughout the lower body and core. Performing squats regularly can improve your muscle strength, size and stability in these areas of the body. Although squats are often said to be a full-body exercise, there are certain muscles that this exercise emphasizes, including:

• Quadriceps
• Hamstrings
• Gluteus maximus, medium and minimus
• Hip adductors
• Hip abductors
• Gastrocnemius
• Soleus
• Erector spinae
• Rectus abdominis, obliques, and transverse abdominis
• Hip flexors
• Tensor Fasciae Latae (TFL)