Exercise library · Quads

How to Do Barbell Hack Squat

Step-by-step instructions, muscles worked and workouts that use the barbell hack squat.

How to do it

1. Stand up straight while holding a barbell behind you at arms length and your feet at shoulder width. Tip: A shoulder width grip is best with the palms of your hands facing back. You can use wrist wraps for this exercise for a better grip. This will be your starting position.
2. While keeping your head and eyes up and back straight, squat until your upper thighs are parallel to the floor. Breathe in as you slowly go down.
3. Pressing mainly with the heel of the foot and squeezing the thighs, go back up as you breathe out.
4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Form tips

• Start light and own the movement before adding weight.
• Control the lowering phase — don't drop into it.
• Keep breathing; exhale on the hardest part.
• Stop if you feel sharp pain (different from muscle burn).

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Gear for this exercise

Barbell and plates setA proper home strength setup for squats and presses.See it on Amazon →Squat rack / power rackThe centre of a serious home gym.See it on Amazon →

Exercise photos and instructions: free-exercise-db (public domain). Animation made from the real start and end photos.