Legs & glutes

Goblet squat

A squat holding one weight at your chest — the weight helps you sit back and stay upright.

Beginner Low impact DumbbellsKettlebell
Movement diagram for Goblet squat: holding a weight at the chest to squat, weight at chest
Original diagram — start and finish positions.

How to do it

  1. Hold one dumbbell vertically by its end, or a kettlebell by the horns, close to your chest.
  2. Stand with feet about shoulder-width apart, toes slightly out.
  3. Keeping elbows tucked and chest lifted, sit your hips down between your heels.
  4. Lower as far as you comfortably can with heels down and back neutral.
  5. Drive up through your whole foot to stand tall.

Form tips

  • Keep the weight touching your chest throughout.
  • Let your elbows point down, inside your knees at the bottom.

Common mistakes

  • Letting the weight drift away from the body.
  • Rounding the upper back.

Easier and harder

Make it easier

Use a lighter weight or squat to a chair.

Make it harder

Use a heavier weight or add a two-second pause at the bottom.

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