How to Do Kneeling Squat
Start and end of one clean rep of Kneeling Squat.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Glutes |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | Core, Hamstrings |
| Equipment | Barbell |
| Category | Powerlifting |
How to perform Kneeling Squat
- Set the bar to the proper height in a power rack. Kneel behind the bar; it may be beneficial to put a mat down to pad your knees. Slide under the bar, racking it across the back of your shoulders. Your shoulder blades should be retracted and the bar tight across your back. Unrack the weight.
- With your head looking forward, sit back with your butt until you touch your calves.
- Reverse the motion, returning the torso to an upright position.
Muscles worked
- Glutes (primary): extends and stabilises the hip — the engine behind hinges, squats and sprints.
- Core (secondary): braces the trunk and resists twisting to protect the spine.
- Hamstrings (secondary): bends the knee and extends the hip through hinges and pulls.
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.
- Rehearse your setup identically on every rep; dependable strength is built on one groove you can trust.
- Warm up the pattern with a couple of lighter, submaximal sets before your working sets.
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.
- Changing your setup rep to rep so the groove never becomes automatic.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does Kneeling Squat work?
Kneeling Squat mainly works the glutes, with the core, hamstrings helping as secondary movers.
What equipment do I need for Kneeling Squat?
Kneeling 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 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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