Quads · Compound movement
Goblet Squat
A compound exercise that targets the quads with secondary work in glutes. Performed with dumbbells.
Primary muscle
Quads
Secondary muscles
Glutes
Equipment
Dumbbell
Difficulty
Intermediate
How to perform the Goblet Squat
- Set up under the load with feet roughly shoulder-width apart and toes turned out a few degrees, mid-foot under the bar or weight.
- Brace the core by taking a deep breath into the belly and locking the ribcage over the pelvis.
- Break at the hips and knees together, descending between the legs rather than pushing the hips straight back.
- Descend until the hip crease is at or below the top of the knee, keeping the knees tracking over the toes and the heels planted.
- Drive up by pressing the feet through the floor; the chest and hips should rise together so the bar (or load) stays over the mid-foot.
- Stop short of locking the knees out aggressively at the top to keep tension on the quads.
Suggested working range: 10–15 reps. Default progression: double progression.
Common mistakes
- •Letting the knees cave inward (valgus collapse) at the bottom or out of the hole.
- •Shooting the hips up first out of the bottom so the chest dips forward and the squat becomes a good morning.
- •Cutting depth short of parallel.
- •Letting the heels lift off the floor at the bottom of the rep.
Variations & alternatives
Swap in a related movement if equipment, recovery, or progression demands it.
Use this exercise in a program
The Goblet Squat fits naturally into hypertrophy and strength splits that prioritize quads volume.
Browse training programs →Track your sets and reps automatically with MuscleBuddy
Free workout logging, auto-progression, and a coaching layer that adapts to your real data.
Create your free account