07/31/2026
🏋️ Can You Perform a Deep Squat?
A deep squat is one of our fundamental movement patterns. It requires good mobility, stability, and coordination from your ankles, knees, hips, and core. One of the most common reasons people struggle with this movement is limited ankle dorsiflexion—the ability to pull your ankle upward over your foot.
If your heels lift, your knees can’t move forward, or you feel stiff or unstable at the bottom of a squat, your ankles may be the limiting factor.
Try these simple half-kneeling ankle mobility exercises:
✅ Static Hold – Hold the end-range stretch to improve ankle mobility.
✅ Mini Pulses – Small, controlled forward movements to reinforce mobility.
✅ Large Pulses – Increase the range of motion while maintaining good control.
Perform each exercise for 10–15 repetitions or hold the static stretch for 30–60 seconds, and repeat 2–3 rounds on each side.
Improving ankle mobility can help you squat deeper, move more efficiently, and reduce unnecessary stress on other joints during everyday activities and exercise.
If you’ve been stretching your ankles but still can’t achieve a comfortable deep squat, there may be another movement restriction contributing to the problem. Our physical therapists at InMotion Physical Therapy can identify the true cause of your movement limitation and create a plan to help you move better.
📍 Move better. Feel better. Perform better.
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