The sled hack squat is a lower body strength exercise performed on a sled machine. It primarily targets the glutes, with secondary emphasis on the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves. The movement involves squatting down with the support of the sled machine, which helps guide the motion and provides stability.
Quick Facts
How to Do Sled Hack Squat
Follow these step-by-step instructions to perform Sled Hack Squat with proper form and technique.
- Adjust the sled machine to a comfortable position for your height.
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart on the platform, toes slightly pointed outwards.
- Hold onto the handles or bars for stability.
- Lower your body by bending your knees and hips, keeping your back straight and chest up.
- Continue lowering until your thighs are parallel to the ground or slightly below.
- Pause for a moment, then push through your heels to raise your body back up to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Muscles Worked
Understanding which muscles Sled Hack 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 Sled Hack Squat
Incorporating Sled Hack Squat into your workout routine offers numerous advantages for strength, muscle development, and overall fitness.
- Glutes Development: Sled Hack 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.
- Functional Strength: Strength exercises like Sled Hack Squat build real-world strength that transfers to daily activities and athletic performance.
Safety Tips and Precautions
Performing Sled Hack Squat safely is essential for preventing injuries and ensuring long-term progress.
- Warm Up Properly: Before performing Sled Hack 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.
- 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 Sled Hack 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.