Half squat with dumbbells

IntermediateUpdated 27/02/2026

Position

Half squat with dumbbells

Muscle map

Half squat with dumbbells

Starting position

4

How to perform it

Lower by coordinating the hips and knees while keeping pressure distributed across the whole foot. Stand up by extending the hips and knees without bouncing. Use a steady tempo: control the return phase in particular and avoid relying on momentum. Exhale through the hardest part and inhale as you recover the starting position.

Muscles worked

absFemoralesglutes and flexors of hipquadricepsPantorrillasLumbaresneck and trapezius upper

Tips

Check that the movement stays stable in both directions and that the torso is not compensating. The goal is controlled loading of abdominals, hamstrings, glutes and hip flexors and quadriceps; match resistance and range to a intermediate level and never force a painful repetition.

Video