How to do it
Take a deep breath into your belly and brace hard before each descent.
- 1
Begin by standing with feet shoulder-width apart and the barbell resting on the front of your shoulders.
- 2
Cross your arms to secure the bar and keep your elbows high.
- 3
Brace your core and keep your chest up as you lower into a squat, hips back and down.
- 4
Squat down until your thighs are at least parallel to the floor.
- 5
Drive through your heels to return to the starting position, maintaining a high elbow position throughout.
Expert tip
Keep your elbows high throughout the movement to prevent the bar from rolling off your shoulders and to maintain an upright torso, reducing the strain on your lower back.
Common mistakes
- ✕Letting the chest collapse forward
- ✕Allowing the knees to cave inward
- ✕Rising onto the balls of the feet