Platesmith

High-bar Back Squat

A compound barbell exercise for the quadriceps and gluteus maximus.

  • Legs
  • Barbell
  • Compound

All exercises

Log it in Platesmith. The app shows last time's numbers on every set of High-bar Back Squat, times your rest and tells you when to add weight. Free, with no ads.

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Muscles worked

MainQuadriceps, Gluteus maximus
AlsoHamstrings, Erector spinae, Rectus abdominis

Setup

Narrower grip and a taller chest than low-bar; heeled shoes help the upright line.

How to do it well

  • Bar on the upper traps
  • Sit straight down between the heels
  • Keep the torso as upright as depth allows

Common mistakes

  • Letting the hips shoot back turning it low-bar
  • Heels lifting at depth

Similar exercises

General guidance, not medical advice. Start lighter than you think, and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition or injury.