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LiftSets / Exercises / Speed Box Squat

Speed Box Squat

Works the quadriceps. Helped by the calves, glutes and hamstrings.

Speed Box Squat, start position, with the working muscles highlighted
Start
Speed Box Squat, finish position, with the working muscles highlighted
Finish

Bright blue is the target muscle. Darker blue is helping. The app shows this as a moving demo.

Muscles worked

quadricepscalvesgluteshamstrings

How many reps

GoalReps per set
Strength1-5
Muscle size5-8
Endurance8-12

Whatever the number, the set should end within a rep or two of the point where you could not do another with good form.

KitBarbell
LevelIntermediate

What to think about

How to do it

  1. Attach bands to the bar that are securely anchored near the ground. You may need to choke the bands to get adequate tension.
  2. Use a box of an appropriate height for this exercise. Load the bar to a weight that still requires effort, but isn't so heavy that speed is compromised. Typically, that will be between 50-70% of your one rep max.
  3. Position the bar on your upper back, shoulder blades retracted, back arched and everything tight head to toe. This will be the starting position.
  4. Unrack the bar and position yourself in front of the box. Sit back with your hips until you are seated on the box, ensuring that you descend under control and don't crash onto the surface.
  5. Pause briefly, and explode off of the box, extending through the hips and knees.

Other exercises for the quadriceps

Track it in LiftSets

Log Speed Box Squat with last time's numbers in front of you, a rest timer on your lock screen and a graph of your progress.

Coming soon to the App Store