Exercise

Box Squat with Bands

Also known as: box squat bands, banded box squat, accommodating resistance box squat

Box Squat with Bands — position 1Box Squat with Bands — position 2

Box Squat with Bands is a compound exercise for the quadriceps and glutes. Main target: vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and gluteus maximus. Also works: abductors, adductors, medial gastrocnemius, biceps femoris and lower back. Equipment: barbell.

EquipmentBarbell
TypeCompound (multi-joint)
MovementPush
CategoryPowerlifting

Muscles worked

How to do it

  1. Begin in a power rack with a box at the appropriate height behind you. Set up the bands on the sleeves, secured to either band pegs, the rack, or dumbbells so that there is appropriate tension. If dumbbells are used, secure them so that they don't move. Also, ensure that the dumbbells you are using are heavy enough for the bands that you are using. Additional plates can be used to hold the dumbbells down. If more tension is needed, you can either widen the base on the floor or choke the bands. Typically, you would aim for a box height that brings you to a parallel squat, but you can train higher or lower if desired.
  2. Begin by stepping under the bar and placing it across the back of the shoulders. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and rotate your elbows forward, attempting to bend the bar across your shoulders. Remove the bar from the rack, creating a tight arch in your lower back, and step back into position. Place your feet wider for more emphasis on the back, glutes, adductors, and hamstrings, or closer together for more quad development. Keep your head facing forward.
  3. With your back, shoulders, and core tight, push your knees and butt out and you begin your descent. Sit back with your hips until you are seated on the box. Ideally, your shins should be perpendicular to the ground. Pause when you reach the box, and relax the hip flexors. Never bounce off of a box.
  4. Keeping the weight on your heels and pushing your feet and knees out, drive upward off of the box as you lead the movement with your head. Continue upward, maintaining tightness head to toe. Use care to return the barbell to the rack.

Similar exercises

Box Squat
Barbell
Vastus lateralisVastus medialisGluteus maximus
Box Squat with Chains
Barbell
Vastus lateralisVastus medialisGluteus maximus
Reverse Band Box Squat
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Reverse Band Power Squat
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Speed Box Squat
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Speed Squats
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Vastus lateralisVastus medialisGluteus maximus

Alternatives with other equipment

Dumbbell Lunges
Dumbbell
Vastus lateralisVastus medialisGluteus maximus
Freehand Jump Squat
Bodyweight
Vastus lateralisVastus medialisGluteus maximus
Squats - With Bands
Bands
Vastus lateralisVastus medialisGluteus maximus
Cable Deadlifts
Cable
Vastus lateralisVastus medialisGluteus maximus
Car Deadlift
Other
Vastus lateralisVastus medialisGluteus maximus
Kettlebell Pistol Squat
Kettlebell
Vastus medialisVastus lateralisGluteus maximus
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