Hack Squats  – Build your Glutes with the often ignored cousin of the barbell Squat

Hack squats are often overlooked as an effective piece of equipment at the gym. This machine targets some of our most loved muscles, the Quads and Glutes. And, after all no one ever said they wanted pencil legs or a saggy butt.  Add these into your leg routine to get your lower half rock solid and sculpted.  Remember, friends don’t let friends skip leg day. So step away from the bench and put your legs to the test.

* The hack squat gets its name from the machine’s shoulder pads. “Hack” is a reference to the yoke placed around an animal’s shoulders.

To perform a proper hack squat, step onto the machine and position your back against the back rest. Place your shoulders under the padded shoulder rests, place your feet at shoulder-width apart. Start the movement you’re your hips and slowly lower, bending your knees to 90 degrees. Stand up and return to your original position. Make sure to keep your back firmly against the backrest to maintain spinal support.

Hack squats work your quads way more than barbell squats do. So if you’re looking for that teardrop look this is the way to go. The farther back you place your feet on the foot plate, the more you will engage your quads.

Hack squats are also amazing at targeting your glutes. Primarily the gluteus maximus, the largest muscle of your buttocks.  So, if your goal is a firm shapely butt that will stand out in a crowd and these to your arsenal. To target your glutes move your feet forward closer to the front of the foot plate.