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Hack Squat Video Guide

Average: 3.3 (9 votes)
3.3 5 9

Exercise Profile

  • Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings
  • Strength
  • Machine
  • Compound
  • Push
  • Beginner

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Quads Exercises Diagram

Exercise Instructions

  1. The hack squat is one of the best exercises for upper leg development. Set up the hack machine by loading the weight you want to use.
  2. Position yourself with your back flat on the pad and shoulders up against the shoulder pads.
  3. Position your feet at around shoulder width apart.
  4. Push up to take the weight off the stack, place your arms on the side handles of the machine and disengage the safety bars. This is the starting position for the movement.
  5. Slowly lower the weight down until your thighs are approximately at right angles with your calves.
  6. Pause, and then push the weight back up to the starting position without locking your knees at the top of the movement.
  7. Repeat for desired reps.

Hack Squat Tips:

  1. Do not lock your knees out at the top of the reps.
  2. Lower the weight slowly.
  3. Make sure your knees do not track out over your toes as this will cause undue stress to the knees.
  4. Keep your head up throughout the exercise - don't look down.
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Comments (8)

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Andreas
Posted Fri, 04/13/2012 - 08:50

Hey Steve. What is good alternative for hack squat?

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Steve's picture
Steve
Posted Fri, 04/13/2012 - 08:59

Squats. They are the king of exercises.

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Pete
Posted Thu, 05/03/2012 - 21:07

My gym doesnt have a hack squat machine either. So should according to to dougs routine for ectomorphs, should i just do more squats?

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rye
Posted Sat, 06/02/2012 - 09:40

hello steve, what will i substitute for a hack squat if exercise before that happens to be squat. many thanks
ryan

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Ray
Posted Wed, 06/06/2012 - 12:57

I've heard mixed feelings about doing hack squats utilising the smith machine. I have heard it is bad for the knees. Thoughts Steve?

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Tinoy james
Posted Mon, 09/03/2012 - 18:57

Hi, well I have a question is this the suitable work out for me, today I tried the pyramid style starting with high reps done to 8 and back up again a total of 6 sets. I maxed out a couple of machines and my legs feel fine. I don't not understand why my quads are as sore as I hoped them to be. Although my legs used to be in incredible shape compared to now. My legs have always been in better shaped and out of poportion with my upper body. But previously I worked for endurance so it takes awhile for my legs to get any good work out . After 2 hours I gave up and walked out of the gym irritated finding it useless. The damn machine would not even hold anymore weights on it the machine itself was maxed out and I wasn't

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meme
Posted Tue, 10/16/2012 - 07:43

i don't get it

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roy
Posted Mon, 01/14/2013 - 08:47

can i do barbell hack squats instead? (new to site) thanks

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