Soreness felt in the upper leg

It’s very common to hear lifters talk about the soreness felt in the upper leg after squatting. It’s usually quads & glutes, but it’s interesting when they also feel it coming from the hamstrings.

Squats, particularly when done in their deeper variations, activate a multitude of muscles in the lower body. We usually hear more about quads and glutes (which indeed are very well targeted during this compound lift), however, one other primary muscle groups engaged during this movement is the adductor group, which is situated on the inner portion of the thigh.

Given their significant involvement, especially during deep squats, it’s not uncommon for these muscles to experience fatigue and subsequent soreness. This is particularly true for individuals who might be new to the squatting movement, or for seasoned lifters who are pushing their limits by increasing either the weight they’re lifting or the number of repetitions and sets they’re performing.

On the other hand, the hamstrings, which are a group of muscles located at the rear of the thigh, are indeed active during a squat. However, their role is more nuanced. The biomechanics of the squat does not place the same degree of stretch or tension on the hamstrings as it does on the adductors. Thus, while they do contribute to the squatting motion, they aren’t typically the primary target, and they work more as stabilizers.

To sum it up, while both the adductors and hamstrings play important roles in the squatting movement, any soreness or discomfort that one feels on the inner side of the thigh following a squat session is most likely attributable to the adductors!