What is CrossFit > The Exercises > Squats > Back Squat
Setup
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Use a squat rack to get under the bar
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Set the height of the rack so the bar is just below your shoulders
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Reach out and grab the bar with your hands outside your shoulders
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Go under the bar and come up so the bar is resting across your shoulders
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Take a deep breath to increase stability in your core and stand with the bar, taking a step away from the rack
Execution
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Maintain a neutral spine with gaze straight ahead and push the hips back and down
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Make sure the knees stay in line with the toes (avoid "rolling in" where your knees appear to buckle inward)
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Continue to descend until your hip crease is lower than your knees
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After reaching full depth, continue to maintain your neutral spine and return to standing by driving through your heels
Tips
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Keep your gaze straight ahead as it will help to avoid your back "rounding" on your descent
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Focus on depth and control before adding weight - this will help avoid injury
Works
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Quads
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Hamstrings
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Glutes
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Core
Good for
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Lower body push strength
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Lower body push conditioning
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Core strength
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Core stability