Reverse Band Power Squat
Reverse Band Power Squat is an expert compound barbell powerlifting that mainly works your quads, with help from your adductors (inner thighs), calves, glutes, hamstrings and lower back.


How to do the reverse band power squat
- Begin in a power rack with the pins and bar set at the appropriate height. After loading the bar, attach bands to the top of the rack, using either pegs or the frame itself. Attach the other end of the bands to the bar.
- 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 wide for more emphasis on the back, glutes, adductors, and hamstrings.
- Keep your head facing forward. With your back, shoulders, and core tight, push your knees and butt out and you begin your descent. Sit back with your hips as much as possible. Ideally, your shins should be perpendicular to the ground. Lower bar position necessitates a greater torso lean to keep the bar over the heels. Continue until you break parallel, which is defined as the crease of the hip being in line with the top of the knee.
- Keeping the weight on your heels and pushing your feet and knees out, drive upward as you lead the movement with your head. Continue upward, maintaining tightness head to toe, until you have returned to the starting position.
Muscles worked
Sets and reps
For strength, do 3-5 sets of 5-8 reps with 2-3 minutes of rest. For muscle growth, 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps with 90 seconds of rest. Add a little weight when you hit the top of the range on every set.
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Start your free trialReverse Band Power Squat alternatives
Exercises that train the same main muscle.
Box SquatBarbell · Intermediate
Speed Box SquatBarbell · Intermediate
Squat with BandsBarbell · Intermediate
Squat with ChainsBarbell · Intermediate
Reverse Band Box SquatBarbell · Intermediate
Box Squat with BandsBarbell · ExpertFAQ
What muscles does the reverse band power squat work?
It mainly works your quads; your adductors (inner thighs), calves, glutes, hamstrings and lower back assist.
How many sets and reps of reverse band power squat should I do?
For strength, do 3-5 sets of 5-8 reps with 2-3 minutes of rest. For muscle growth, 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps with 90 seconds of rest. Add a little weight when you hit the top of the range on every set.
Is the reverse band power squat good for beginners?
It is an advanced movement. Build a base with simpler exercises for the same muscles first, and learn it with light weight or a coach.