Barbell Squats
- Set up the barbell on the squat rack so that it is at the same height as your upper chest.
- Position your body under the bar, with knees bent so that the bar is resting high on the back of your shoulders.
- Grip the bar with your hands comfortably wider than your shoulders.
- Slowly straighten your legs to push upwards, lifting the barbell from the rack and take one step forward.
- Stand with your legs shoulder width apart.
- Bend your knees forward and allow your hips to bend back as if sitting down,
- Continue this movement down until your thighs are parallel to the floor or slightly more, making sure your knees are pointing in the same direction as your feet.
- Hold for a count of one.
- Push up through your heels while straightening your hips and knees, until you are standing in the start position.
- Make any adjustments necessary to your stance and grip before continuing on the next repetition.
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Related exercises to discover
Barbell squats is a gym exercise that targets glutes & hip flexors and quadriceps and also works abs and calves and hamstrings and lower back. Use the illustration and instructions above to learn how to perform this exercise with proper form. Related exercises that work similar muscle groups include Wall angels, trx suspension straps squats and cable squat rows / row squats. Browse our free illustrated exercise directory for more exercises.
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Follow ready-made home and gym plans with visual demos and timers – or create custom workouts from exercises like this.
Build illustrated workout plans for your clients in minutes – then share them as branded PDFs or interactive workouts.
Our illustrated Yoga Cards deck is the perfect way to start practicing at home – no class, no studio, no experience needed. 100,000+ sold.
