Description
A squat variation where the weight is held at chest height, increasing the work done by the upper back and shoulders.
How to Do StrongMan Front Chest Squat
- 1Setup
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes pointing slightly outward, and position yourself under a barbell racked at chest height.
- 2Setup
Rack the barbell across your anterior deltoids, keeping your elbows high and parallel to the floor in a front rack position, or use a cross-arm grip with hands on top of the bar.
- 3
Initiate the squat by pushing your hips back slightly and bending your knees, maintaining an upright torso and keeping your elbows pointed forward and high.
- 4
Descend until your thighs are parallel to the floor or slightly below, ensuring your heels remain grounded and your core is tightly braced throughout the movement.
- 5
Drive powerfully through your heels and midfoot, extending your hips and knees simultaneously to return to the starting standing position.
- 6
Exhale as you stand, maintaining core tension and a strong, upright posture until you reach full hip and knee extension.
Tips
- Keep your elbows high throughout the entire squat to maintain the barbell's stable position and prevent it from rolling forward off your shoulders.
- Focus on driving your knees out slightly during the descent to activate your glutes and maintain proper hip tracking, preventing knee collapse.
- Maintain a rigid, upright torso by bracing your core tightly, as this is crucial for spinal safety and stability with the front-loaded weight.
- Use a controlled descent to maximize time under tension and ensure proper depth before powerfully driving back up through the concentric phase.
Common Mistakes
- ×Rounding the upper back: Avoid letting your upper back round forward by actively pushing your chest up and keeping your elbows high and forward.
- ×Dropping the elbows: Prevent the barbell from rolling off your shoulders by consciously driving your elbows up and forward throughout the entire movement, especially at the bottom.
- ×Lifting heels off the ground: Ensure your heels stay planted by initiating the movement by pushing your hips back slightly and driving through your midfoot, which maintains balance and proper weight distribution.
Variations

Barbell Pin Front Squat
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Barbell Front Chest Squat
Master the barbell front squat to build strong quads, glutes, and core. Improve your lower body strength and stability with this challenging lift.

Barbell Front Chest Squat with Resistance Band
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Barbell Weighted Front Chest Squat
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