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 Muscles Worked
Primary
Quads (quadriceps femoris); Glutes (gluteus maximus)
Secondary
Front Shoulder (anterior deltoid); Lats (latissimus dorsi); Upper Calf (gastrocnemius)
Bodyweight Full-Squat with Overhead Press Variations and Alternatives
How to do the Bodyweight Full-Squat with Overhead Press
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.
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.
Hold the Squat:
Pause at the bottom of the squat for a moment, engaging your core and maintaining your balance.
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.
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.
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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