How to do Balance Trainer Stability Ball Overhead Squats
Reviewed by Jim Parker, CPT, B.A. Kinesiology
Workouts with Balance Trainer Stability Ball Overhead Squats
Target muscles worked
Instructions for Proper Form
This exercise is a variation on the more standard Overhead Squat. Similar to other Squat variations, this compound exercise primarily targets your quadriceps. Unlike other variations, the use of a balance trainer adds significantly more instability to this exercise which can force you to recruit smaller stabilizing muscles. Holding a stability ball overhead is a great way to practice overhead squats without adding additional resistance.
- Stand on the Balance Trainer dome with feet in a hip width stance and feet as level as possible. Lift the ball overhead and maintain this position throughout the exercise. Slowly flex the hips, knees and ankles, lowering into a comfortable depth squat. Press back to a balanced standing position. Keep the chest lifted and core braced throughout the exercise.
Common Form Mistakes
Weak Hip Hinge
The hip hinge is a crucial part of the squat. Make sure you’re dropping your hips back first, and then bending your knees to drop into your squat. The same is true on the way up. Make sure you’re driving your hips forward, not just extending your legs.
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Alternatives & Variations to Balance Trainer Stability Ball Overhead Squats
1. Back Squat
99.3 mSCORESWAPPED 22 TIMESBack Squat is one of the three Powerlifting movements, and one of the most common lower body exercises. It’s a great compound exercise that can help build strength and muscle mass in your leg, especially your quadriceps. It’s a staple in most fitness programs, and is often used as a metric for tracking lower body strength in general.
2. Leg Press
99.7 mSCORESWAPPED 20 TIMESLeg Press is a compound exercise that primarily targets the quadriceps. The exercise itself is fairly similar to a standard squat, with some key differences. The biggest of these differences is the added stability from supporting your back on the Leg Press Machine. The end result of these changes is a more stable movement that further emphasizes your quadriceps. Leg Press is an excellent exercise for anyone looking to build muscle mass or strength in their quads.
3. Leg Extension
99.4 mSCORESWAPPED 19 TIMESLeg Extensions are an isolation exercise that target the quads. Due to a severe lack of isolation movements for the lower body, this is a great option for specifically targeting your quadriceps. The use of a machine restricts your range of motion, and adds some stability to the movement. This can help your focus more on exertion than stabilizing the movement. The downside to this exercise is that it places a lot of tension on your knee. Keep your weights light, and focus on pausing near the end of your range of motion.
4. Smith Machine Squat
94.3 mSCORESWAPPED 19 TIMESSmith Machine Squat is a variation on the more standard Squat. Like other variations, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets your quads. The use of a Smith Machine restricts your range of motion, and adds significantly more stability to the movement. This makes this exercise a great choice for learning proper squat mechanics, and developing strength in your lower body.
5. Dumbbell Squat
94.1 mSCORESWAPPED 18 TIMESDumbbell Squat is a variation of the more standard Squat. Like other variations, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets the quadriceps. The advantage of using dumbbells rather than a barbell is that you have more freedom in your range of motion which can make this a more accessible variation for anyone with mobility limitations. With that freedom comes a bit more instability with this exercise though, which can help you further improve your squat for, and build the strength needed for heavier, or more complex variations.
6. Dumbbell Sumo Squat
81 mSCORESWAPPED 18 TIMESA squat exercise performed with dumbbells, in a wide-legged stance to target the legs and glutes.
7. Air Squats
92.1 mSCORESWAPPED 13 TIMESAir Squats are a bodyweight variation of Squats. Like other variations, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets the quadriceps. Without any added resistance this is easily one of the most beginner friendly exercises out there. It’s a great way to start building strength, and working your way towards more advanced variations.
8. Dumbbell Squat To Shoulder Press
98.1 mSCORESWAPPED 12 TIMESDumbbell Squat to Shoulder Press is a combination of a Dumbbell Squat and a Shoulder Press. Both pieces of this exercise are compound movements that primarily target the quads and shoulders respectively. Combining these two movements is more than just the sum of its parts. It’s a very functional movement that has tons of practical applications, especially for sports. It’s also a great starting point for anyone looking to build the strength and conditioning needed for more explosive exercises like Thrusters, or eventually Olympic lifts.
9. Dumbbell Lunge
97.6 mSCORESWAPPED 11 TIMESDumbbell Lunge is a variation on the more standard Lunge. Similar to other Lunge variations, Dumbbell Lunge is a compound exercise that primarily targets the quads. The exercise itself is the same as a standard lunge except for the added weight from holding dumbbells in each hand. This is a great variation for anyone looking to make their lunges a bit more challenging without adding more complexity to the movement.
10. Balance Trainer Squat
56.3 mSCORESWAPPED 10 TIMESBalance Trainer Squat is a bodyweight variation on the more standard Squat. Like other Squat variations, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets the quadriceps. By using a Balance Trainer you add significantly more instability to the movement, which can help you develop balance and coordination, as well as achieve better muscle activation when compared to something like an Air Squat.