Hack squat: How to Do It, Muscles Worked

Step by step

Place your back flat on the pad, feet shoulder-width.
Lower slowly until your thighs are parallel or lower.
Press through your whole foot without locking your knees.

What you should feel

A strong burn in the front of your thighs; your knees and lower back should not feel pinched.

Common mistake

Heels lifting off the platform; move your feet slightly higher and press through your heels.

Sets and reps

To build muscle: 3 to 4 sets of 8 to 12 reps, resting 1 to 2 minutes.
To get stronger: 3 to 5 sets of 3 to 6 reps, resting 2 to 3 minutes.
For endurance: 2 to 3 sets of 12 to 20 reps, resting under a minute.

Works

Quads

Helps

Glutes Inner thighs

Equipment

Machines

Alternatives for the same muscles

No machine, no barbell, or something hurts? These work the same muscles.

Back squatQuads, Glutes

Front squatQuads, Glutes

Goblet squatQuads, Glutes

Dumbbell front squatQuads, Glutes

Slow goblet squat (3 s down)Quads, Glutes

Bodyweight squatQuads, Glutes

Questions

What muscles does the hack squat work?

Hack squat mainly works your quads. It also helps your glutes and inner thighs.

Can I do the hack squat at home?

Not easily, it needs this: machines. At home, try instead: goblet squat, dumbbell front squat, and slow goblet squat (3 s down).

How many sets and reps of the hack squat?

To build muscle: 3 to 4 sets of 8 to 12 reps, resting 1 to 2 minutes. To get stronger: 3 to 5 sets of 3 to 6 reps, resting 2 to 3 minutes. For endurance: 2 to 3 sets of 12 to 20 reps, resting under a minute.

Warm up for 5 to 10 minutes first. Stop if something hurts (sharp pain, not effort), and check with a doctor if you have a health condition. Photos: Free Exercise DB (public domain).

More exercises for your quads

Hack squat