How to do it
Take a big breath and brace your abdomen hard before each descent.
- 1
Begin with the barbell on the floor and stand with feet hip-width apart.
- 2
Perform a clean to bring the bar up to your shoulders, with your hands just outside your shoulders and elbows pointing forward.
- 3
Keep your elbows up and your core braced as you lower into a squat.
- 4
Descend until your thighs are at least parallel to the floor.
- 5
Drive through your heels to return to the starting position.
- 6
Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Expert tip
Keep your elbows high throughout the squat to prevent the bar from rolling off your shoulders and to maintain an upright torso.
Common mistakes
- ✕Knees caving inward during the descent
- ✕Rising onto the toes at the bottom
- ✕Dropping too fast into the bottom position