The front squat is one of the most effective lower body exercises, offering tons of benefits from strength and muscle size to athleticism and mobility. The same exercise can also be daunting because it requires coordination from head to toe. This challenging squat variation can even be awkward for some lifters because it demands more
Front Squat
The front squat is a staple movement for Olympic weightlifters, CrossFit athletes, and countless other strength-focused lifters. However, some find the unique bar position to be a limiting factor because it requires ample shoulder and wrist mobility. Credit: Ground Picture / Shutterstock Other lifters shy away from the front squat because they can move relatively
On June 27, 2022, Olympic weightlifter Kate Vibert (formerly Katherine Nye) recorded a 162-kilogram (356-pound) front squat during a training session. According to the Team USA athlete — who most recently competed at 76 kilograms — the front squat rep is a new personal record (PR) by two kilograms (4.4 pounds). Vibert wore a lifting
The front squat is one of the most fundamental, functional, and yet commonly-overlooked lower body exercises. It develops strength, power, conditioning, and leg size while reducing lower back stress compared to other squat variations. Despite its benefits, many lifters mistakenly consider front squats “too advanced” for beginners or, worse yet, merely a lesser alternative to