How to do a Weighted Wall Sit
Reviewed by Jim Parker, CPT, B.A. Kinesiology
Workouts with Weighted Wall Sit
Target muscles worked
Instructions for Proper Form
Weighted Wall Sit is a variation on the more standard Wall Sit. Like Wall Sit, this is an isometric exercise that targets your quads, glutes, and hamstrings. By holding weight during the exercise, you add more resistance, which can help build additional strength and endurance in your lower body. This is a great exercise for improving muscular endurance and stability.
- Press your back against a wall and bend your knees to a 90 degree angle and place a weighted plate on top of your thighs.
- Extend your arms in front of your shoulders.
- Hold the position for an allotted time.
Alternatives & Variations to Weighted Wall Sit
1. Air Squats
92.1 mSCORESWAPPED 543 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.
2. Dumbbell Sumo Squat
81 mSCORESWAPPED 422 TIMESA squat exercise performed with dumbbells, in a wide-legged stance to target the legs and glutes.
3. Leg Extension
99.4 mSCORESWAPPED 407 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. Dumbbell Squat
94.1 mSCORESWAPPED 378 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.
5. Wall Sit
55.4 mSCORESWAPPED 331 TIMESWall Sit is a bodyweight exercise that primarily targets the quadriceps. This is an isometric hold performed by pressing your back against a wall and lowering your body until your knees form a 90-degree angle. This exercise is excellent for building endurance and strength in the quads without the need for movement. It's a great addition to lower body workouts or as a burnout after a leg day.
- Intermediate
- Quads
6. Dumbbell Lunge
97.6 mSCORESWAPPED 306 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.
7. Dumbbell Goblet Squat
87.9 mSCORESWAPPED 272 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.
8. Mountain Climber
74.9 mSCORESWAPPED 263 TIMESMountain Climber is a compound movement that involves holding a high plank or push up position, and alternating bringing your legs forward toward your chest. Holding a high plank position will already recruit your core to keep your back straight. By cycling your legs, you add more instability to the movement, as well as increase the intensity of the exercise itself.
9. Dumbbell Step Up
84.4 mSCORESWAPPED 253 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. Lunge
90.8 mSCORESWAPPED 251 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.