Squat

Hack 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 Hack 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 machine squat that places the torso against a fixed support, allowing focused quadriceps and lower-body training through a stable path.

Setup & Execution

  1. Place the shoulders and back firmly against the pads and set the feet where the knees can track comfortably.
  2. Release the safety stops, brace, and keep the whole foot connected to the platform.
  3. Lower under control until the deepest position you can maintain without the pelvis rolling away from the pad.
  4. Drive through the platform to stand, stopping short of forcefully locking the knees.

Coaching Cues

  • Keep your back connected to the pad.
  • Let knees travel with the toes.
  • Push the platform away.

Common Mistakes

  • Placing the feet where the heels lift.
  • Bouncing out of the bottom.
  • Locking the knees aggressively at the top.

Movement media

See the movement

Reviewed short loop
Published media
Short silent loop · 5 seconds
Reviewed
Jul 17, 2026
Video source
Open source record
30–60 second tutorialplanned
Setup angleplanned
Side angleplanned
Key cue overlayplanned
Captionsplanned
Transcriptplanned

Accessible movement summary

Place the shoulders and back firmly against the pads and set the feet where the knees can track comfortably. Release the safety stops, brace, and keep the whole foot connected to the platform. Lower under control until the deepest position you can maintain without the pelvis rolling away from the pad. Drive through the platform to stand, stopping short of forcefully locking the knees.

Key cue: Keep your back connected to the pad.

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

Heels-elevated goblet squat

Progression

Tempo hack squat

Home gym

Cyclist squat with a dumbbell

Commercial gym

Pendulum squat

Used in

Linked Mission SOPs

Lower Hypertrophy & CapacityAscent