Mighty Logo
Mighty
← Back to library
Last updated March 30, 2026
AdductorsCalvesHamstringsQuadricepsAbductorsGlutes

Squat (Dumbbell)

Hold a dumbbell in each hand at your sides. Squat down as if sitting in a chair. Keep your chest up and drive through your heels to stand.

Quick facts

Level
Beginner
Mechanic
Compound
Force
Push
Type
Strength
Injury Risk
Low
Hypertrophy
Very High
Calorie Burn
Medium-High

Muscle focus

Primary and secondary muscle groups targeted by this movement.

Primary

Quads

Secondary

Glutes (max)

Equipment & setup

What you need and how to position yourself before starting.

Equipment

Dumbbell

Movement pattern

Bilateral

Posture

Standing

Tracking parameters

repsweight

Step-by-step instructions

Follow these cues to master proper technique and stay safe through every rep.

  1. Step 1Setup
    • Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand at your sides.
    • Ensure your feet are flat on the ground and your toes are slightly pointed out.
  2. Step 2Position the Dumbbells
    • Raise the dumbbells to shoulder height, with your elbows bent and palms facing each other.
    • Keep your chest up and shoulders back to maintain good posture.
  3. Step 3Engage Your Core
    • Tighten your abdominal muscles to stabilize your body.
    • Maintain a neutral spine throughout the movement.
  4. Step 4Begin the Squat
    • Bend at your hips and knees simultaneously, lowering your body as if sitting back into a chair.
    • Keep your weight on your heels and ensure your knees do not extend past your toes.
  5. Step 5Lower Your Body
    • Continue to lower yourself until your thighs are at least parallel to the ground, or as low as your flexibility allows.
    • Keep your chest lifted and back straight throughout the descent.
  6. Step 6Rise Back Up
    • Push through your heels to stand back up, straightening your legs and returning to the starting position.
    • Ensure to keep your core engaged and maintain good posture as you rise.
  7. Step 7Repeat
    • Perform the desired number of repetitions while maintaining proper form.
    • Focus on controlled movements to avoid injury.
  8. Step 8Finish the Exercise
    • After completing your reps, carefully lower the dumbbells back to your sides.
    • Take a moment to catch your breath and ensure you are stable before moving on.

Alternatives & variations

Explore similar movements targeting the same muscles.

View all exercises
Bent Over Hip Extension (Band)

Bent Over Hip Extension (Band)

Glutes (max)
Box Squat (Barbell)

Box Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Bulgarian Split Squat (Bodyweight)

Bulgarian Split Squat (Bodyweight)

Quads
Bulgarian Split Squat (Dumbbell)

Bulgarian Split Squat (Dumbbell)

Quads
Deadlift (Barbell)

Deadlift (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Deadlift - Deficit (Barbell)

Deadlift - Deficit (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Deadlift - (Trap Bar)

Deadlift - (Trap Bar)

Quads
Glute Kickback (Cable)

Glute Kickback (Cable)

Glutes (max)
Frog Reverse Hyperextension

Frog Reverse Hyperextension

Glutes (max)
Front Squat (Barbell)

Front Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Front Squat (Smith)

Front Squat (Smith)

Quads
Glute Press (Machine)

Glute Press (Machine)

Glutes (max)
Goblet Squat (Dumbbell)

Goblet Squat (Dumbbell)

Quads
Goblet Squat (Kettlebell)

Goblet Squat (Kettlebell)

Quads
Hack Squat

Hack Squat

Quads
Hack Squat (Barbell)

Hack Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Hack Squat - Close Stance

Hack Squat - Close Stance

Outer Quad
Hack Squat (Smith)

Hack Squat (Smith)

Quads
Hip Extension (v2) (Machine)

Hip Extension (v2) (Machine)

Glutes (max)
Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Glutes (max)
Hip Thrust (Dumbbell)

Hip Thrust (Dumbbell)

Glutes (max)
Hip Thrust (Smith)

Hip Thrust (Smith)

Glutes (max)
Hip Thrust - Staggered Stance (Barbell)

Hip Thrust - Staggered Stance (Barbell)

Glutes (max)
Kickback - Kneeling, Straight Leg

Kickback - Kneeling, Straight Leg

Glutes (max)
Landmine Deadlift

Landmine Deadlift

Hamstrings
Lateral Lunge (Barbell)

Lateral Lunge (Barbell)

Quads
Lateral Lunge (Dumbbell)

Lateral Lunge (Dumbbell)

Quads
Leg Press - Horizontal, Seated (Machine)

Leg Press - Horizontal, Seated (Machine)

Quads
Leg Press (Smith)

Leg Press (Smith)

Quads
Lunge (Barbell)

Lunge (Barbell)

Quads
Walking Lunge (Dumbbell)

Walking Lunge (Dumbbell)

Quads
Lunge - Forward (Kettlebell)

Lunge - Forward (Kettlebell)

Quads
Pause Deadlift (Barbell)

Pause Deadlift (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Pistol Squat (Machine)

Pistol Squat (Machine)

Quads
Pull Through (Cable)

Pull Through (Cable)

Glutes (max)
Pull Through (Cable: Rope)

Pull Through (Cable: Rope)

Glutes (max)
Rear Decline Bridge

Rear Decline Bridge

Glutes (max)
Rear Kick - Standing (Machine)

Rear Kick - Standing (Machine)

Glutes (max)
Resistance Glute Bridge (Band)

Resistance Glute Bridge (Band)

Glutes (max)
Resistance Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Resistance Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Glutes (max)
Resistance Hip Thrusts (Band)

Resistance Hip Thrusts (Band)

Glutes (max)
Resistance Leg Kickback (Band)

Resistance Leg Kickback (Band)

Glutes (max)
Resistance Shuttle (Band)

Resistance Shuttle (Band)

Quads
Reverse Lunge (Bodyweight)

Reverse Lunge (Bodyweight)

Quads
Reverse Vertical Hack Squat (Machine)

Reverse Vertical Hack Squat (Machine)

Quads
Sled Side Leg Press

Sled Side Leg Press

Quads
Squat (Band)

Squat (Band)

Quads
Squat (Barbell)

Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Squat (Smith)

Squat (Smith)

Quads
Squat - Wide (Barbell)

Squat - Wide (Barbell)

Quads
Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Barbell)

Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Kettlebell)

Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Kettlebell)

Hamstrings
Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Smith)

Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Smith)

Hamstrings
Sumo Deadlift (Barbell)

Sumo Deadlift (Barbell)

Quads
Sumo Deadlift (Smith)

Sumo Deadlift (Smith)

Quads
Sumo Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)

Sumo Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Sumo Squat (Barbell)

Sumo Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Sumo Squat (Dumbbell)

Sumo Squat (Dumbbell)

Quads
Sumo Squat (Kettlebell)

Sumo Squat (Kettlebell)

Quads
Swing (Kettlebell)

Swing (Kettlebell)

Glutes (max)
Zercher Back Extension (Barbell)

Zercher Back Extension (Barbell)

Lower Back
Version 1 · Created November 12, 2025