Completely new to strength training? A trainer recommends these three moves to build lower body muscles

A woman performs a squat exercise with a chair while another person watches on offering guidance. The exercising woman has her knees bent and hips hinged forward. Her hands are clasped in front of her and her buttocks are nearly seated on a chair. The other person is obscured behind her, but we see her arms are straight and guiding the woman down towards the chair.

I meet with a lot of personal training clients who want to build strength in their lower body but don’t know where to start. Most understand that exercises like squats and lunges will do the trick, but their range of motion is limited or they worry about proper form.

Strong quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings, and calves are essential for a healthy body. The more conditioned these lower-body muscles are, the easier you’ll be able to move around. As you age, a strong lower body can also combat the effects of bone loss, improve your balance, and prevent falls.