Squat

Barbell Back Squat

A practical movement guide for every Mission SOP that uses this exercise. Sets, reps, load, tempo, and purpose remain specific to each mission and phase.

Movement guide available

Anatomy map

Muscles involved

Primary Supporting
Option 2 custom anatomy illustration for Barbell Back Squat, with primary and supporting muscles highlighted
PrimaryQuadriceps
SupportingGluteal musclesAdductorsCalves

ShaOS custom anatomy illustration. Visual reference only; movement coaching and muscle classifications remain defined by the Exercise Library.

Description

A foundational lower-body lift that develops the quadriceps, glutes, adductors, and trunk through coordinated hip, knee, and ankle motion.

Setup & Execution

  1. Position the bar securely across the upper back, set the hands evenly, and stand it out of the rack with a braced trunk.
  2. Place the feet in a comfortable stance with toes slightly turned out and pressure balanced across the whole foot.
  3. Sit down between the hips while allowing the knees to track in line with the toes.
  4. Reach a controlled depth, then drive the floor away and stand without losing trunk position.

Coaching Cues

  • Brace before you descend.
  • Keep the whole foot connected.
  • Drive knees in line with toes.

Common Mistakes

  • Losing heel or midfoot pressure.
  • Knees collapsing inward.
  • Relaxing or rounding at the bottom.

Movement media

See the movement

Reviewed short loop
Published media
Short silent loop · 7.1 seconds
Reviewed
Jul 15, 2026
Video source
Open source record
30–60 second tutorialplanned
Setup angleplanned
Side angleplanned
Key cue overlayplanned
Captionsplanned
Transcriptplanned

Accessible movement summary

Position the bar securely across the upper back, set the hands evenly, and stand it out of the rack with a braced trunk. Place the feet in a comfortable stance with toes slightly turned out and pressure balanced across the whole foot. Sit down between the hips while allowing the knees to track in line with the toes. Reach a controlled depth, then drive the floor away and stand without losing trunk position.

Key cue: Brace before you descend.

The production indicators above are roadmap states, not claims that multi-angle footage, overlays, captions, or a narrated transcript are already available.

Adapt the movement

Regressions & alternatives

Preserve the movement pattern while matching current capacity, available equipment, and the mission environment.

Regression

Goblet box squat

Progression

Paused barbell back squat

Home gym

Goblet squat

Commercial gym

Safety-bar squat

Used in

Linked Mission SOPs

Lower Strength & CarriesFoundation