Speed Squats

An advanced compound strength exercise that works the quads, using a barbell.

Speed Squats — Starting position Starting position
Speed Squats — End position End position
Difficulty Advanced
Type Strength
Equipment Barbell
Primary Muscle Quads
AI Rep Counting Log manually

How to Do Speed Squats

  1. This exercise is best performed inside a squat rack for safety purposes. To begin, first set the bar on a rack that best matches your height. Once the correct height is chosen and the bar is loaded, step under the bar and place the back of your shoulders (slightly below the neck) across it.
  2. Hold on to the bar using both arms at each side and lift it off the rack by first pushing with your legs and at the same time straightening your torso.
  3. Step away from the rack and position your legs using a shoulder width medium stance with the toes slightly pointed out. Keep your head up at all times as looking down will get you off balance and also maintain a straight back. This will be your starting position. (Note: For the purposes of this discussion we will use the medium stance which targets overall development; however you can choose any of the three stances discussed in the foot stances section).
  4. Begin to lower the bar by bending the knees as you maintain a straight posture with the head up. Continue down until the angle between the upper leg and the calves becomes slightly less than 90-degrees (which is the point in which the upper legs are below parallel to the floor). Inhale as you perform this portion of the movement. Tip: If you performed the exercise correctly, the front of the knees should make an imaginary straight line with the toes that is perpendicular to the front. If your knees are past that imaginary line (if they are past your toes) then you are placing undue stress on the knee and the exercise has been performed incorrectly.
  5. Begin to raise the bar as fast as possible without involving momentum as you exhale by pushing the floor with the heel of your foot mainly as you straighten the legs again and go back to the starting position. Note: You should perform these exercises as fast as possible but without breaking perfect form and without involving momentum.
  6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Muscles Worked

Front
Back

Primary

Where Speed Squats does most of its work.

Secondary

Assisting and stabilising muscles.

Alternatives to Speed Squats

10 movements that train the same primary muscle, closest substitutes first — same kind of training, then variations of the movement itself, then a similar difficulty.

  1. 1 One-Arm Overhead Kettlebell Squats

    One-Arm Overhead Kettlebell Squats

    An advanced compound strength exercise that works the quads, using a kettlebell.

    advanced Kettlebell
  2. 2 Squats

    Squats

    The squat is the king of lower body exercises, targeting the quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings while building core stability. It's a fundamental movement pattern that translates directly to everyday activities.

    beginner No Equipment AI tracked
  3. 3 Squats - With Bands

    Squats - With Bands

    A beginner compound strength exercise that works the quads, using a resistance band.

    beginner Resistance Bands
  4. 4 Zercher Squats

    Zercher Squats

    An advanced compound strength exercise that works the quads, using a barbell.

    advanced Barbell
  5. 5 Narrow Stance Hack Squats

    Narrow Stance Hack Squats

    An intermediate compound strength exercise that works the quads, using a machine.

    intermediate Machines
  6. 6 Front Squats With Two Kettlebells

    Front Squats With Two Kettlebells

    An intermediate compound strength exercise that works the quads, using a kettlebell.

    intermediate Kettlebell
  7. 7 Jefferson Squats

    Jefferson Squats

    An intermediate compound strength exercise that works the quads, using a barbell.

    intermediate Barbell
  8. 8 Narrow Stance Squats

    Narrow Stance Squats

    An intermediate compound strength exercise that works the quads, using a barbell.

    intermediate Barbell
  9. 9 Kettlebell Pistol Squat

    Kettlebell Pistol Squat

    An advanced compound strength exercise that works the quads, using a kettlebell.

    advanced Kettlebell
  10. 10 Barbell Squat To A Bench

    Barbell Squat To A Bench

    An advanced compound strength exercise that works the quads, using a barbell.

    advanced Barbell

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles do speed squats work?

Speed Squats primarily works the quads. The calves, glutes, hamstrings and lower back assist as secondary muscles.

What equipment do I need for speed squats?

Speed Squats uses barbell.

Speed Squats: is it suitable for beginners?

Speed Squats is rated advanced. High skill or high load. Worth earning rather than starting with.

What can I do instead of speed squats?

One-Arm Overhead Kettlebell Squats, Squats, Squats - With Bands train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.

Can Fitnit count my speed squats reps automatically?

Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; speed squats can be logged manually in the app, and tracked movements are added over time.

Photographs and step-by-step instructions from free-exercise-db, a public-domain exercise dataset. Muscle mapping and alternatives by Fitnit.

Track Your Speed Squats with AI

Fitnit automatically tracks push-ups, crunches, squats, pull-ups, and curls with advanced body tracking technology — and you can manually input any other workout too. Start free — Pro is $8.99/month.