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Bodyweight Full-Squat with Overhead Press

Squat low & press high! 🔥 This full-body move builds strength & boosts cardio. Perfect for any fitness level. Get started now!

The Bodyweight Full-Squat with Overhead Press is a compound exercise that mainly works the quads and glutes & hips, with help from the shoulders, back and calves / shins. No equipment needed: it uses just your bodyweight.

Bodyweight Full-Squat with Overhead Press demo video 2
Ms. Grey
JustGains_XX
@JustGains_XX

Bodyweight Full-Squat with Overhead Press Muscles Worked

Primary

Quads (quadriceps femoris); Glutes (gluteus maximus)

Secondary

Front Shoulder (anterior deltoid); Lats (latissimus dorsi); Upper Calf (gastrocnemius)

How to do the Bodyweight Full-Squat with Overhead Press

  1. Starting Position:

    • Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.

    • Keep your toes slightly pointed out.

    • Raise your arms to shoulder height, with your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle and palms facing forward.

  2. Squat Down:

    • Begin the squat by pushing your hips back as if you are going to sit in a chair.

    • Bend your knees and lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the ground or as low as you can comfortably go.

    • Keep your chest lifted and your back straight throughout the movement.

    • Ensure that your knees stay in line with your toes and do not extend beyond them.

  3. Hold the Squat:

    • Pause at the bottom of the squat for a moment, engaging your core and maintaining your balance.

  4. Return to Standing:

    • Press through your heels and push your body back up to the starting position, straightening your legs.

    • As you rise, extend your arms overhead until they are fully straightened.

  5. Finish the Movement:

    • At the top, ensure that your arms are straight and aligned with your ears, with your body in a straight line from head to heels.

    • Take a breath and lower your arms back to shoulder height to return to the starting position.

  6. Repeat:

    • Perform the squat and overhead press for the desired number of repetitions, focusing on form and control.

Tips:

  • Keep your core engaged throughout the exercise to protect your back.

  • If you're new to this movement, practice the squat without the overhead press before adding the arm movement.

  • Ensure you maintain a smooth, controlled motion to prevent injury.

Bodyweight Full-Squat with Overhead Press FAQs

What muscles does the Bodyweight Full-Squat with Overhead Press work?

The Bodyweight Full-Squat with Overhead Press mainly works the quads and glutes & hips, with help from the shoulders, back and calves / shins. The main muscles are the quadriceps femoris and gluteus maximus.

What equipment do you need for the Bodyweight Full-Squat with Overhead Press?

None. The Bodyweight Full-Squat with Overhead Press is a bodyweight exercise, so you can do it anywhere.

Is the Bodyweight Full-Squat with Overhead Press a compound exercise?

Yes. It's a compound movement, meaning it trains several muscle groups at once rather than isolating one.

What workout day should the Bodyweight Full-Squat with Overhead Press go on?

It belongs on push day in a push/pull/legs routine.

What are some Bodyweight Full-Squat with Overhead Press variations and alternatives?

Similar exercises include the Bodyweight Squat, Bodyweight Overhead Squat Press, Bodyweight Standing Arnold-Press and Bodyweight Thruster.

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