Advanced exercise

Overhead Squat

  • Mobility
  • Stability
  • Strength
  • Olympic Weightlifting

Technique

How to perform Overhead Squat

  1. Start out by having a barbell in front of you on the floor. Your feet should be wider than shoulder width apart from each other.
  2. Bend the knees and use a pronated grip (palms facing you) to grab the barbell. Your hands should be at a wider than shoulder width apart from each other before lifting. Once you are positioned, lift the barbell up until you can rest it on your chest.
  3. Move the barbell over and slightly behind your head and make sure your arms are fully extended.
  4. Keep your head up at all times and also maintain a straight back. Retract your shoulder blades. This is your starting position.
  5. Slowly lower the weight by bending your knees until your thighs are parallel to the ground while inhaling.
  6. Keep your back neutral and your arms extended overhead throughout the movement. Now use your feet and legs to help bring the weight back up to the starting position while exhaling.
  7. Repeat for the prescribed repetitions.

Programming relevance

Muscles involved

Primary targets: Gluteus Maximus, Erector Spinae, Rectus Femoris, Trapezius, Vastus Lateralis, Vastus Medialis.

MuscleScoreRole
Gluteus Maximus1.0Target, Mover
Erector Spinae0.8Target, Mover, Stabilizer
Rectus Femoris0.8Target, Mover
Trapezius0.8Target, Mover
Vastus Lateralis0.8Target, Mover
Vastus Medialis0.8Target, Mover
Anterior Deltoid0.7Mover, Stabilizer
Soleus0.5Mover