How to Do the Overhead Squat
💪 Quadriceps, Abdominals, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Lower Back, Shoulders, Triceps🏋️ Barbell📊 Expert🏷️ Olympic Weightlifting
How to perform it
- Start out by having a barbell in front of you on the floor. Your feet should be wider than shoulder width apart from each other.
- Bend the knees and use a pronated grip (palms facing you) to grab the barbell. Your hands should be at a wider than shoulder width apart from each other before lifting. Once you are positioned, lift the barbell up until you can rest it on your chest.
- Move the barbell over and slightly behind your head and make sure your arms are fully extended. Keep your head up at all times and also maintain a straight back. Retract your shoulder blades. This is your starting position.
- Slowly lower the weight by bending your knees until your thighs are parallel to the ground while inhaling. Tip: Keep your back straight while performing this exercise to avoid any injuries and your arms should remain extended and over your head at all times.
- Now use your feet and legs to help bring the weight back up to the starting position while exhaling.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles worked
The Overhead Squat primarily targets your Quadriceps, with support from your Abdominals, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Lower Back, Shoulders, Triceps. You'll need barbell.
Make it count toward your goal
Random sets rarely move the needle. In NYUS, the Overhead Squat slots into a plan built for your goal — sets, reps and progression auto-suggested, logged in two taps, and folded into a weekly review that adapts what comes next.