Skip to content
ascend.
Exercise guide

Goblet Squat

How to do the Goblet Squat with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.

CompoundKettlebellsBeginnerPush
Primary muscles

Quads

Secondary

Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Shoulders

Equipment

Kettlebells

Step by step

How to do the Goblet Squat

  1. 1

    Stand holding a light kettlebell by the horns close to your chest. This will be your starting position.

  2. 2

    Squat down between your legs until your hamstrings are on your calves. Keep your chest and head up and your back straight.

  3. 3

    At the bottom position, pause and use your elbows to push your knees out. Return to the starting position, and repeat for 10-20 repetitions.

In Ascend

Log it, see it on your body.

Every Goblet Squat set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap, so your quads volume is visible at a glance, and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.

Train with a goal

Where the Goblet Squat fits

The Goblet Squat shows up in training built around a specific goal. See how it fits:

Related

More quads exercises

FAQ

Goblet Squat: common questions

What muscles does the Goblet Squat work?

The Goblet Squat primarily works the Quads. It also recruits the Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings and Shoulders as supporting muscles.

Is the Goblet Squat suitable for beginners?

Yes. The Goblet Squat is a beginner-level exercise, so it's a solid choice if you're new to training. Start light and focus on the movement pattern before adding load.

What equipment do I need for the Goblet Squat?

To do the Goblet Squat you'll need one or more kettlebells.

Is the Goblet Squat a compound or isolation exercise?

The Goblet Squat is a compound exercise, it moves multiple joints and works several muscle groups at once, which makes it efficient for building overall strength.

How do I do the Goblet Squat with correct form?

Stand holding a light kettlebell by the horns close to your chest. This will be your starting position. Follow the full step-by-step above for the complete movement.

Try the climb

Log your Goblet Squat sets, free.

Waitlist members get TestFlight + Play Store internal-track invites and a founder badge on their profile.

Free to join · No card · Founder badge kept
Ascend Club

The app is free. Club adds the coach, leagues and analytics.

Core tracking stays free forever, the climb, streaks, logging and your league tiers. Club is for when you want the full coach, worldwide competition and the depth, at about the price of one coffee a month.

See Club plans

14-day free trial · no card to start

 FreeClub
Tracking, the climb and streaks
Per-set logging, PR detection, wearables
Muscle-league tiers
The AI coachnudgesFull conversation
Worldwide leagues and challenges,
PR projections and deep analytics,
Unlimited crews,
Themes, export and higher AI limits,