Mighty Logo
Mighty
← Back to library
Last updated March 5, 2026
AdductorsCalvesHamstringsQuadricepsAbductorsGlutes

Sumo Squat (Barbell)

Take a very wide stance with toes pointing out. Squat down with the barbell on your back. Keep your knees pushing out over your toes.

Quick facts

Level
Intermediate
Mechanic
Compound
Force
Push
Type
Strength
Injury Risk
Moderate
Hypertrophy
Very High
Calorie Burn
High

Muscle focus

Primary and secondary muscle groups targeted by this movement.

Primary

Quads

Secondary

Inner Thigh (large)

Equipment & setup

What you need and how to position yourself before starting.

Equipment

Barbell

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 with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart, toes pointed slightly outward.
    • Hold a barbell with both hands, using an overhand grip, and rest it on your upper thighs.
  2. Step 2Position the Barbell
    • Position the barbell so that it rests comfortably on your thighs.
    • Ensure your grip is shoulder-width apart and your elbows are slightly bent.
  3. Step 3Engage Your Core
    • Engage your core muscles to stabilize your body throughout the movement.
    • Keep your chest up and shoulders back to maintain good posture.
  4. Step 4Lower Your Body
    • Begin the squat by bending at the hips and knees, lowering your body down.
    • Keep your knees in line with your toes and push your hips back as if sitting in a chair.
  5. Step 5Reach the Bottom Position
    • Lower yourself until your thighs are parallel to the ground or as low as your flexibility allows.
    • Ensure that your back remains straight and your chest is lifted.
  6. Step 6Push Back Up
    • Press through your heels to push your body back up to the starting position.
    • Squeeze your glutes at the top of the movement and ensure your knees do not cave inward.
  7. Step 7Repeat
    • Repeat the squat for the desired number of repetitions, maintaining proper form throughout.
  8. Step 8Finish the Exercise
    • After completing your reps, carefully lower the barbell back to your thighs.
    • Stand tall and ensure your posture is straight before setting the barbell down safely.

Alternatives & variations

Explore similar movements targeting the same muscles.

View all exercises
Bulgarian Split Squat (Dumbbell)

Bulgarian Split Squat (Dumbbell)

Quads
Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Glutes (max)
Frog Reverse Hyperextension

Frog Reverse Hyperextension

Glutes (max)
Sumo Deadlift (Smith)

Sumo Deadlift (Smith)

Quads
Zercher Back Extension (Barbell)

Zercher Back Extension (Barbell)

Lower Back
Deadlift (Barbell)

Deadlift (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Hip Thrust (Smith)

Hip Thrust (Smith)

Glutes (max)
Resistance Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Resistance Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Glutes (max)
Goblet Squat (Kettlebell)

Goblet Squat (Kettlebell)

Quads
Goblet Squat (Dumbbell)

Goblet Squat (Dumbbell)

Quads
Bulgarian Split Squat (Bodyweight)

Bulgarian Split Squat (Bodyweight)

Quads
Resistance Glute Bridge (Band)

Resistance Glute Bridge (Band)

Glutes (max)
Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Kettlebell)

Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Kettlebell)

Hamstrings
Squat (Barbell)

Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Leg Press (Smith)

Leg Press (Smith)

Quads
Hack Squat (Barbell)

Hack Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Resistance Shuttle (Band)

Resistance Shuttle (Band)

Quads
Lateral Lunge (Dumbbell)

Lateral Lunge (Dumbbell)

Quads
Lunge (Barbell)

Lunge (Barbell)

Quads
Squat (Smith)

Squat (Smith)

Quads
Box Squat (Barbell)

Box Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Squat - Wide (Barbell)

Squat - Wide (Barbell)

Quads
Sumo Squat (Kettlebell)

Sumo Squat (Kettlebell)

Quads
Deadlift - Deficit (Barbell)

Deadlift - Deficit (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Leg Press - Horizontal, Seated (Machine)

Leg Press - Horizontal, Seated (Machine)

Quads
Glute Press (Machine)

Glute Press (Machine)

Glutes (max)
Sumo Squat (Dumbbell)

Sumo Squat (Dumbbell)

Quads
Hack Squat - Close Stance

Hack Squat - Close Stance

Outer Quad
Pull Through (Cable)

Pull Through (Cable)

Glutes (max)
Hip Thrust (Dumbbell)

Hip Thrust (Dumbbell)

Glutes (max)
Swing (Kettlebell)

Swing (Kettlebell)

Glutes (max)
Walking Lunge (Dumbbell)

Walking Lunge (Dumbbell)

Quads
Hack Squat

Hack Squat

Quads
Rear Kick - Standing (Machine)

Rear Kick - Standing (Machine)

Glutes (max)
Glute Kickback (Cable)

Glute Kickback (Cable)

Glutes (max)
Kickback - Kneeling, Straight Leg

Kickback - Kneeling, Straight Leg

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

Hip Thrust - Staggered Stance (Barbell)

Glutes (max)
Reverse Lunge (Bodyweight)

Reverse Lunge (Bodyweight)

Quads
Landmine Deadlift

Landmine Deadlift

Hamstrings
Lunge - Forward (Kettlebell)

Lunge - Forward (Kettlebell)

Quads
Lateral Lunge (Barbell)

Lateral Lunge (Barbell)

Quads
Pause Deadlift (Barbell)

Pause Deadlift (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Pistol Squat (Machine)

Pistol Squat (Machine)

Quads
Deadlift - (Trap Bar)

Deadlift - (Trap Bar)

Quads
Sumo Deadlift (Barbell)

Sumo Deadlift (Barbell)

Quads
Resistance Leg Kickback (Band)

Resistance Leg Kickback (Band)

Glutes (max)
Reverse Vertical Hack Squat (Machine)

Reverse Vertical Hack Squat (Machine)

Quads
Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Barbell)

Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Smith)

Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Smith)

Hamstrings
Sumo Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)

Sumo Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Resistance Hip Thrusts (Band)

Resistance Hip Thrusts (Band)

Glutes (max)
Rear Decline Bridge

Rear Decline Bridge

Glutes (max)
Sled Side Leg Press

Sled Side Leg Press

Quads
Squat (Band)

Squat (Band)

Quads
Front Squat (Barbell)

Front Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Bent Over Hip Extension (Band)

Bent Over Hip Extension (Band)

Glutes (max)
Front Squat (Smith)

Front Squat (Smith)

Quads
Hip Extension (v2) (Machine)

Hip Extension (v2) (Machine)

Glutes (max)
Pull Through (Cable: Rope)

Pull Through (Cable: Rope)

Glutes (max)
Hack Squat (Smith)

Hack Squat (Smith)

Quads
Version 1 · Created November 12, 2025