Skip to content
Vytal
ScanTrainingBodyWidgetsInsightsFAQ
Open appSign inGet started
Vytal

Every meal. Every set. One clear picture.

Popular foods

  • Chicken breast
  • Egg
  • Rolled oats
  • All 800+ foods

Popular exercises

  • Barbell bench press
  • Barbell full squat
  • Barbell deadlift
  • All 1,500+ exercises

Workout plans

  • Push / Pull / Legs
  • Hyrox Prep
  • 4-Day Upper / Lower
  • All 40+ plans

Help

  • FAQ
  • Contact

© 2026 Vytal

PrivacyCookiesTerms
All exercises

Barbell high bar squat

Intermediate

Barbell high bar squat is a compound barbell exercise for the quads, also working the glutes, hamstrings, calves, and abs.

What it works

Primary muscle

Quads

Also works

GlutesHamstringsCalvesAbs

Equipment
Barbell
Movement
Legs
Type
Compound
Logged as
Weight × reps
Suggested rest
3 min

How to do it

  1. 1Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned out.
  2. 2Place the barbell on your upper back, resting it on your traps.
  3. 3Engage your core and keep your chest up as you begin to squat down, pushing your hips back and bending your knees.
  4. 4Lower yourself until your thighs are parallel to the ground, or as low as you can comfortably go.
  5. 5Drive through your heels to stand back up, extending your hips and knees.
  6. 6Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

What to do instead

  • Smith front squat (clean grip)Smith machine
  • Barbell low bar squatBarbell
  • Barbell front squatBarbell
  • Barbell full squatBarbell
  • Smith low bar squatSmith machine
  • Curtsey squatBodyweight

Easier variations

  • Curtsey squatBodyweight
  • Potty squat with supportBodyweight
  • Smith squatSmith machine
  • Band squatResistance band

Harder variations

  • Dumbbell single leg squatDumbbell
  • Barbell full zercher squatBarbell
  • Barbell zercher squatBarbell
  • One leg squatBodyweight
Logged today · 3 min restBarbell high bar squat

Track it in Vytal, free

Log every set, run the rest timer between them, and keep every personal record you beat.

Create free account

More Legs exercises

  • 90/90 hip stretchBodyweight
  • 90/90 hip switchBodyweight
  • All fours squad stretchBodyweight
  • Ankle circlesBodyweight
  • Aqua cyclingMachine
  • Arms apart circular toe touchBodyweight