How to Do Kneeling Jump Squat
Start and end of one clean rep of Kneeling Jump Squat.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Glutes |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | Calves, Hamstrings, Quads |
| Equipment | Barbell |
| Category | Olympic weightlifting |
How to perform Kneeling Jump Squat
- Begin kneeling on the floor with a barbell racked across the back of your shoulders, or you can use your body weight for this exercise. This can be done inside of a power rack to make unracking easier.
- Sit back with your hips until your glutes touch your feet, keeping your head and chest up.
- Explode up with your hips, generating enough power to land with your feet flat on the floor.
- Continue with the squat by driving through your heels and extending the knees to come to a standing position.
Muscles worked
- Glutes (primary): extends and stabilises the hip — the engine behind hinges, squats and sprints.
- Calves (secondary): points the foot to power push-off and steady the ankle.
- Hamstrings (secondary): bends the knee and extends the hip through hinges and pulls.
- Quads (secondary): extends the knee to drive squats, lunges and jumps.
Sets & reps by goal
| Goal | Sets × reps | Load | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3–5 × 3–5 | Heavy (~85%+) | 2–3 min |
| Hypertrophy | 3–4 × 8–12 | Moderate (~65–75%) | 60–90 s |
| Endurance | 2–3 × 15–20 | Lighter (~50–60%) | 30–45 s |
Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
Form tips
- Finish each rep by squeezing the glutes and standing fully tall, without over-arching the back.
- Keep the bar path close and stacked over your mid-foot; letting it drift forward wastes force and loads the lower back.
- Prioritise speed and position over load — a fast, well-timed pull beats a heavier sloppy one.
- Control the lowering phase — a 2–3 second descent builds more than dropping the weight.
Common mistakes
- Turning a hip hinge into a squat and losing the stretch on the glutes.
- Loading the bar heavier than your form allows and turning strict reps into a whole-body heave.
- Muscling the bar up slowly instead of moving fast underneath it.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does Kneeling Jump Squat work?
Kneeling Jump Squat mainly works the glutes, with the calves, hamstrings, quads helping as secondary movers.
What equipment do I need for Kneeling Jump Squat?
Kneeling Jump Squat needs a barbell and plates (plus a rack or bench where the movement calls for one).
How many sets and reps should I do for Kneeling Jump Squat?
It depends on your goal: about 3–5 sets of 3–5 heavy reps for strength, 3–4 sets of 8–12 for muscle growth, or 2–3 sets of 15–20 for endurance. Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
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