How to do a Jump Squat
Reviewed by Jim Parker, CPT, B.A. Kinesiology
About Jump Squat
Workouts with Jump Squat
Target muscles worked
Instructions for Proper Form
Jump Squat is an explosive variation of the squat, and more specifically Air Squats. Like other squats, this compound exercise primarily targets your quadriceps. Unlike other variations, Jump Squats require a much more explosive movement in order to propel yourself into the air. This is a great exercise for making your squats more challenging without adding any weight.
- Begin by placing your feet just outside shoulder-width apart and slightly angled outward.
- Keeping your heels planted firmly on the ground, descend by hinging at your hips while keeping your chest up.
- Your knees should track outward and slightly forward as you descend and maintain a neutral spine throughout the exercise.
- Once you have reached parallel and your heels are still on the ground, you will explode back to the starting position by quickly extending your knees and hips to propel you upward.
- Absorb the landing by allowing your knees and hips to flex upon impact.
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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.
Sets & Reps Calculator
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Alternative Exercises to Jump Squat
1. Air Squats
92.1 mSCORESWAPPED 4,978 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.
- Beginner
- Quads
2. Leg Extension
99.4 mSCORESWAPPED 3,753 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.
- Beginner
- Quads
- Leg Extension Machine
3. Dumbbell Squat
94.1 mSCORESWAPPED 3,188 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.
4. Dumbbell Sumo Squat
81 mSCORESWAPPED 3,045 TIMESA squat exercise performed with dumbbells, in a wide-legged stance to target the legs and glutes.
5. Dumbbell Lunge
97.6 mSCORESWAPPED 2,500 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.
6. Leg Press
99.7 mSCORESWAPPED 2,090 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.
- Beginner
- Quads
- Leg Press
7. Lunge
90.8 mSCORESWAPPED 1,887 TIMESLunges are one of the most common lower body exercises out there. It’s a compound exercise that primarily targets your quads. In order to return to a standing position with this exercise you need to engage your quads in order to push yourself back up. This further emphasizes your quadriceps compared to other Lunge variations, however this also places more tension on your knee. By stepping forward with a single leg taking most of the load, you can more easily identify, and address any discrepancies in mobility or strength between sides.
- Beginner
- Quads
8. Dumbbell Squat To Shoulder Press
98.1 mSCORESWAPPED 1,684 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 Step Up
84.4 mSCORESWAPPED 1,611 TIMESDumbbell Step Up is a weighted variation of the more standard Step Up. Similar to other Step Ups, this compound exercise primarily targets your quadriceps. By holding dumbbells you can add more resistance to this exercise without limiting your range of motion.
10. Machine Leg Press
95.1 mSCORESWAPPED 1,504 TIMESMachine Leg Press is a variation on the more standard Leg Press. Like the Leg Press, this is a compound exercise that primarily recruits the quadriceps. This is a great exercise for building strength and muscle mass in your quads. The use of a machine doesn’t change anything significant about this exercise, although your positioning may change depending on the machine you’re using.
- Beginner
- Quads
- Leg Press Machine