Barbell Jefferson Squat — start position
Start
Barbell Jefferson Squat — end position
End

Legs / Advanced / Compound (multi-joint)

Barbell Jefferson Squat

A straddle deadlift-squat with the barbell between the legs that builds the quads, glutes and adductors.

At a glance

Primary
Quads, Glutes, Adductors
Secondary
Hamstrings, Lower back (erectors), Upper traps, Forearms & grip, Obliques
Equipment
Barbell
Movement pattern
Squat, Hip hinge
Level
Advanced
Type
Legs, Compound (multi-joint)

Loads the lower back, knee. Use a load you can control and skip it if it causes pain.

How to do it

  1. Straddle a barbell so it runs between your feet, feet wider than shoulder width.
  2. Squat down and grip the bar with one hand in front of your body and the other behind.
  3. Keeping your chest up and back flat, drive through your legs to stand up with the bar between your legs.
  4. Lower back down under control to just above the floor.

Tips

  • Switch which foot/hand is in front between sets to stay balanced.
  • Keep your hips and shoulders square, not twisted.

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Muscles worked

Neck (Front)Upper traps — secondary (Front)Front delts (Front)Side delts (Front)Chest (Front)Serratus anterior (Front)Biceps (Front)Forearms & grip — secondary (Front)Abs (Front)Obliques — secondary (Front)Hip flexors (Front)Quads — primary (Front)Adductors — primary (Front)Shins (tibialis) (Front)Calves (Front)Outer shins (peroneals) (Front)Feet (arch & toes) (Front)Neck (Back)Upper traps — secondary (Back)Upper back (rhomboids, mid/lower traps) (Back)Rear delts (Back)Side delts (Back)Rotator cuff (Back)Lats (Back)Lower back (erectors) — secondary (Back)Triceps (Back)Forearms & grip — secondary (Back)Hip abductors (glute med) (Back)Glutes — primary (Back)Hamstrings — secondary (Back)Adductors — primary (Back)Calves (Back)
FrontBack
  • Primary: Quads, Glutes, Adductors
  • Secondary: Hamstrings, Lower back (erectors), Upper traps, Forearms & grip, Obliques

Best for

How specific this exercise is to each movement.

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Illustration: Everkinetic (everkinetic.com), CC BY-SA 4.0.