How to do a TRX Squat and Row
Reviewed by Jim Parker, CPT, B.A. Kinesiology
Workouts with TRX Squat and Row
Target muscles worked
Instructions for Proper Form
A compound movement that simultaneously strengthens the back, shoulders, and lower body, the TRX Squat and Row maximizes workout efficiency. This combination of a squat and row offers a comprehensive workout that enhances both strength and stability across multiple muscle groups.
- Grab ahold of the TRX handles with extended arms, palms facing in, body slightly horizontal with the floor, and facing towards the anchor point with the straps completely extended.
- Place your feet just outside shoulder-width apart and slightly angled outward.
- Keep your weight evenly distributed through your feet throughout the exercise.
- Descend by slightly hinging your hips backward with your knees tracking outward over your second toe and slightly forward as you descend while bracing your core to maintain a neutral spine.
- Descend to a deep enough depth that allows your spine to remain neutral before standing upright and pulling the elbows past your sides at a 45 degree angle from your torso until the handles reach your torso.
- Return to the starting position.
Sets & Reps Calculator
Average TRX Squat and Row standards by male, female, gender, weight, age and height
Use this calculator to see Fitbod's possible first recommendations for you. This would be your starting line, based on more than 4.5 billion logged sets from 1.1 million users.
- beginner3sets8reps1 Set Max9reps
- intermediate4sets8reps10reps
- advanced4sets9reps11reps
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Alternatives & Variations to TRX Squat and Row
1. TRX Squat
40.6 mSCORESWAPPED 41 TIMESTRX Squat is an easier variation of squats. Like other squats, this compound movement primarily targets your quadriceps. By grasping the TRX straps, you can help support yourself as you descend into the squat, as well as being able to assist yourself as you return to a standing position. This can be a good starting point for building the strength needed to perform more challenging squat variations.
2. TRX Row
37.7 mSCORESWAPPED 26 TIMESTRX Row is a compound, bodyweight exercise that primarily targets the back. The use of a TRX strap helps to prevent compensating for strength discrepancies between sides, while also adding some instability to the movement. You can also easily add or remove resistance during your set by stepping your feet closer or further from the anchor point. This is a great exercise for adding some variety to your rows, as well as building strength.
3. Leg Extension
99.4 mSCORESWAPPED 18 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. Air Squats
92.1 mSCORESWAPPED 17 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.
5. Dumbbell Squat To Shoulder Press
98.1 mSCORESWAPPED 15 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.
6. Lunge
90.8 mSCORESWAPPED 12 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.
7. Leg Press
99.7 mSCORESWAPPED 12 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.
8. Dumbbell Goblet Squat
87.9 mSCORESWAPPED 9 TIMESDumbbell Goblet Squat is a variation on the more standard Front Squat. Like other squat variations, this compound exercise primarily targets the quadriceps. Goblet squats are beneficial because they require less upper body mobility in order to keep the weight in the proper position compared to using a barbell.
9. Dumbbell Squat
94.1 mSCORESWAPPED 8 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.
10. Machine Leg Press
95.1 mSCORESWAPPED 7 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.