Weighted Squat
- Works
- Quads, plus calves, glutes and hamstrings
- Equipment
- Other kit
- Level
- Intermediate
- Type
- Compound
How to do it
Setup. Start by positioning two flat benches shoulder width apart from each other. Stand on top of them and wrap the weighted belt around your waist with the amount of weight you feel comfortable with. Make sure your toes are facing out.
- Once you are standing straight up with the weight hanging in between your legs, position your arms so that they are fully extended to the side of your body. This is the starting position.
- Begin by bending the knees as you maintain a straight posture with the head up. Continue down until the angle between the upper leg and the calves becomes slightly less than 90-degrees (which is the point in which the upper legs are below parallel to the floor). Inhale as you perform this portion of the movement. Tip: If you performed the exercise correctly, the front of the knees should make an imaginary straight line with the toes that are perpendicular to the front. If your knees are past that imaginary line (if they are past your toes) then you are placing undue stress on the knee and the exercise has been performed incorrectly.
- Begin to move the body back up by pushing the floor of the flat bench with the ball of your foot mainly as you straighten the legs again and go back to the starting position. Exhale as you perform this portion of the exercise.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Cues
- Stand on two benches, belt on.
- Toes slightly out.
- Sit straight down, chest up.
- Drive through the heels.
Common mistakes
- Knees caving in.
- Leaning forward.
Where to start
Sets3
Reps10-15
Rest1.5 min
Tempo2-0-1
A starting point, not a law. Pick a weight you could lift two or three more times than the top of the range. Tempo is seconds down, pause, up. When every set hits the top of the range, add a little weight.
Go easy, or pick an alternative, if you have sore knees. Pain that's sharp or gets worse set to set means stop.