Kükkima

Kükkima is a Finnish term that translates to "squatting" or "crouching" in English. It describes a posture where a person lowers their body by bending their knees and hips, bringing their buttocks close to the ground. This is often achieved by keeping the feet flat on the floor and the back relatively upright.

The squatting posture is a fundamental human movement pattern that has been used for centuries across various cultures for different purposes. In many parts of the world, squatting is a common resting position, especially in traditional societies where chairs and other modern furniture are less prevalent. It can also be a functional position for tasks such as digging, gathering, or performing certain manual labor.

In a fitness context, kükkima refers to the squat exercise, a compound movement that works multiple muscle groups, primarily in the lower body, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. It is a popular exercise in strength training and is often adapted into variations like bodyweight squats, goblet squats, and barbell squats, each offering different challenges and benefits. The ability to perform a deep, comfortable squat is also considered an indicator of good mobility and flexibility.