The barbell narrow stance squat is a lower body strength exercise that targets the glutes, with significant involvement of the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves. It is performed by holding a barbell across the upper back and squatting with a narrow stance, emphasizing the inner thighs and glutes.
Quick Facts
How to Do Angled Barbell Narrow Stance Squat
Follow these step-by-step instructions to perform Angled Barbell Narrow Stance Squat with proper form and technique.
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and toes pointing slightly outward.
- Hold the barbell across your upper back, resting it on your traps or rear delts.
- Engage your core and keep your chest up as you slowly lower your body by bending your knees and pushing your hips back.
- Continue lowering until your thighs are parallel to the ground or slightly below.
- Pause for a moment, then push through your heels to return to the starting position. Emphasize angled control.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Muscles Worked
Understanding which muscles Angled Barbell Narrow Stance Squat targets helps you integrate it effectively into your training program.
Target Muscles
These are the main muscles responsible for performing the movement and receive the greatest training stimulus.
Secondary Muscles
These muscles assist in the movement and receive secondary training benefits.
Benefits of Angled Barbell Narrow Stance Squat
Incorporating Angled Barbell Narrow Stance Squat into your workout routine offers numerous advantages for strength, muscle development, and overall fitness.
- Glutes Development: Angled Barbell Narrow Stance Squat directly targets and strengthens the Glutes, promoting muscle growth and improved functional strength.
- Secondary Muscle Engagement: This exercise also works the Quadriceps, Hamstrings, and Calves, providing additional training stimulus without extra exercises.
- Progressive Overload Potential: Barbells allow for precise weight increments, making it easier to progressively overload the muscles over time for consistent strength gains.
- Functional Strength: Strength exercises like Angled Barbell Narrow Stance Squat build real-world strength that transfers to daily activities and athletic performance.
Safety Tips and Precautions
Performing Angled Barbell Narrow Stance Squat safely is essential for preventing injuries and ensuring long-term progress.
- Warm Up Properly: Before performing Angled Barbell Narrow Stance Squat, complete 5-10 minutes of light cardio followed by dynamic stretches targeting the Glutes and surrounding muscles.
- Prioritize Form Over Weight: Never sacrifice proper technique for heavier weights. Poor form significantly increases injury risk and reduces the exercise's effectiveness.
- Use Safety Equipment: When lifting heavy, always use a power rack with safety pins set at the appropriate height, and consider using a spotter for maximal attempts.
- Knee Safety: Keep your knees tracking in line with your toes throughout the movement. Don't let them cave inward.
- Respect Your Range of Motion: Work within your current mobility limits. Gradually improve flexibility over time rather than forcing deeper positions.
- Don't Hold Your Breath: Maintain consistent breathing throughout the exercise. Exhale during the exertion phase and inhale during the easier phase.
- Know When to Stop: End your set when you can no longer maintain proper form. Training to absolute failure on every set increases injury risk.
- Allow Adequate Recovery: The Glutes typically need 48-72 hours to recover after intense training. Avoid training the same muscle group on consecutive days.
Tracking Your Progress
To make consistent gains with Angled Barbell Narrow Stance Squat, track these metrics during your workouts:
Track the number of sets you complete. Most training programs recommend 3-5 sets per exercise.
Record your repetitions per set. Adjust rep ranges based on your goals: 1-5 for strength, 6-12 for hypertrophy, 12+ for endurance.
Log the weight used for progressive overload. Aim to gradually increase weight while maintaining proper form.