Pause Squat Guide
- Exercise Type: Compound - engages and works multiple muscle groups at the same time.
- Targeted Muscle Groups:
- primary: quadriceps
- secondary: gluteal, hamstring, erector spinae
- tertiary: abs, calves
- quaternary: adductor, abductors
How to perform?
Pause squats are a variation of the traditional squat exercise, where the lifter pauses at the bottom of the squat before driving back up. This pause eliminates the stretch reflex and forces the lifter to maintain tension throughout the entire range of motion. The primary muscle worked in this exercise is the quadriceps, while the glutes, hamstrings, and erector spinae serve as secondary muscles. The calves and abdominals are involved as tertiary muscles, while the adductors and abductors serve as quaternary muscles. Pause squats can help improve squat strength and technique.
Variations
- ATG Squatcompound
- Bulgarian Split Squatscompound
- Close-Stance Barbell Squatcompound
- Front Barbell Squatcompound
- Hack Squatcompound
- Heel-Elevated Front Squatcompound
- High Bar Squatcompound
- Reverse Hack Squatcompound
- Safety Bar Close-Stance Squatcompound
- Smith Machine Bulgarian Split Squatcompound
- Smith Machine Squatcompound
- Squatcompound
- Sumo-Stance Barbell Squatcompound
- Squat with Core Twistcompound
- Pit Shark Squatcompound
Similar Exercises
- Alternating Lungescompound
- Dumbbell Sumo Squatscompound
- Front Loaded Cable Squatcompound
- Front Rack Reverse Lungecompound
- Jump squat with pulsecompound
- Leg Presscompound
- Leg Press with Resistance Bandscompound
- Lungescompound
- Nautilus Chest Presscompound
- Plank to jump squatcompound
- Poliquin Step-Upcompound
- Side Push-Upscompound
- Single Leg Presscompound
- Sissy Squatscompound
- Smith machine front squatcompound
- Smith Machine Lungescompound
- Squat Jumpscompound
- Squat Static Holdscompound
- Step upscompound
- Sumo Deadliftcompound
- Walking Barbell Lungecompound
- Walking Dumbbell Lungecompound
- Weighted Sissy Squatscompound
- Booty Bodyweight Donkey Glute Kicksisolation
- Leg Lifts With Cris-Cross Movementisolation
- Quad Extensions (Leg Extensions)isolation
- Single-Leg Quad Extensionsisolation
- Squat Walkisolation
- Cycling Machinecardio
- Jogging-Treadmillcardio
- Walking-Treadmillcardio
- Prowler Sledplyometric
- Reverse static plankisometric
- Wall Sitsisometric