Kind, Muscle groups Labored, & Frequent Errors

The goblet squat doesn’t get the popularity it deserves.

Whereas it could not will let you elevate as heavy as different squat variations, it’s a extremely efficient leg train with distinctive advantages. 

For instance, it’s excellent for freshmen as a result of it’s simple to be taught and means that you can begin gentle and progress slowly. It’s additionally a superb squat variation for folks with a historical past of accidents because it’s gentler in your joints than most different kinds of squat.

On this article, you’ll be taught what the dumbbell goblet squat is, its advantages, which muscle tissue it really works, the best way to do it with correct kind, the very best goblet squat alternate options, and extra.

What Is A Goblet Squat?

The goblet squat is a lower-body train that entails squatting whereas holding a dumbbell vertically in entrance of your chest, nearly such as you’re holding a goblet (therefore the identify).

You should utilize different kinds of resistance to carry out the goblet squat, together with a kettlebell or resistance band. Nevertheless, since most individuals want utilizing a dumbbell, the dumbbell goblet squat (or “DB goblet squat”) is the variation we’ll concentrate on on this article. 

Goblet Squat vs. Common Squat: Which Is Higher?

It relies upon.

The principle advantages of the goblet squat are that it’s simple to be taught, means that you can prepare with gentle weights, requires minimal tools, and is gentler in your joints than most different squatting workout routines.

As such, the goblet squat is good for brand new weightlifters, these with out entry to health club tools (individuals who prepare at house or whereas touring, for instance), and people who find themselves coaching round an damage.

That stated, the conventional squat means that you can prepare extra muscle tissue throughout your physique with heavier weights and progress extra repeatedly and in bigger increments, which implies it’s superior for constructing muscle and power. 

After all, there’s no cause to incorporate simply considered one of these squat actions in your program. The perfect resolution for most individuals is to do each. 

A wise method to do that is to start out your leg exercise with the barbell squat, then carry out the goblet squat later in your exercise when supporting muscle tissue like your decrease again are bushed, however your legs can in all probability handle one other few units.

That is how I personally like to prepare my coaching, and it’s much like the tactic I advocate in my health books for women and men, Bigger Leaner Stronger and Thinner Leaner Stronger

(And if you’d like even more specific advice about what exercises to include in your training program to reach your health and fitness goals, take the Legion Strength Training Quiz, and in less than a minute, you’ll know the perfect strength training program for you. Click here to check it out.)

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Goblet Squat: Benefits

1. It trains several major muscle groups.

Most people think of the goblet squat as a leg exercise. 

While it’s true that the main muscles worked by the goblet squat are the quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves, it additionally trains a number of muscle teams throughout your complete physique, together with the biceps, chest, shoulders, and abs.

2. It’s simpler in your knees and again.

Research exhibits that squat variations that place the load on the entrance of your physique, such because the goblet squat, place considerably much less stress in your knees and again than squat variations that place the load on the again of your physique.

This makes the goblet squat a superb variation for these with knee or again points. 

3. It’s simple to be taught. 

Most folk think about the barbell again squat the king of squat workout routines.

Nevertheless, though the barbell again squat is a superb lower-body train, it’s not all the time the best place to begin for brand new weightlifters. That’s as a result of it requires a level of steadiness, coordination, flexibility, and power that not all freshmen possess.

The goblet squat is an efficient workaround should you battle with the barbell again squat as a result of it means that you can prepare the identical muscle tissue because the again squat however with lighter weights. This makes the goblet squat a easy solution to apply correct kind whereas constructing your power over time.

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Goblet Squat: Muscles Worked

The goblet squat works the . . .

  • Quadriceps
  • Hamstrings
  • Glutes
  • Calves

It also trains your pecs, biceps, and shoulders to a lesser degree.

Here’s how those muscles look on your body:


goblet squat muscles worked


Goblet Squat: Form

The best way to learn how to do a goblet squat is to split the exercise into three parts: set up, descend, and squat.


dumbbell goblet squat


1. Set up

Stand with your feet a little wider than shoulder-width apart and your toes turned slightly out. Grip a dumbbell by one end, holding the weight vertically at chest height with your elbows tucked close to your sides.

2. Descend

Take a deep breath into your stomach, push your chest out, brace your abs, and sit down by pushing your hips backward and bending your knees at the same time.

As you descend, push your knees out in the same direction as your toes.

Keep sitting down as far as you comfortably can, ideally until your thighs are parallel to the floor or slightly lower.

3. Squat

Stand up and return to your starting position. This mirrors what you did during the descent.

Don’t let your chest fall forward or rock onto your tippy-toes—this wastes energy and makes standing up trickier.

A good cue to counter this is to think about “pushing off your heels.” This helps keep the weight centered over your midfoot throughout the squat.

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Goblet Squat: Common Mistakes

1. Holding the weight away from your body.

Holding the weight away from your body makes it trickier to balance and forces your biceps, forearms, and shoulders to bear weight, which makes balancing more challenging and limits the amount of weight you can lift.

To correct this, hold the weight close to your chest with your elbows fully bent. 

2. Leaning or tipping forward.

As you fatigue during a set, it’s common to allow your elbows to drop toward your sides. This can throw off your balance, and make performing the exercise with proper form difficult.

To fix this mistake, focus on driving your elbows forward, under the weight. If maintaining this position for a full set proves challenging, consider reducing the weight or work on building upper-back strength.

3. Allowing your knees to cave inward.

To prevent your knee caving inward as you squat, think about spreading the floor apart with your feet by driving your feet into the ground and away from each other (though they shouldn’t actually move). 

This keeps your knees tracking in line with your toes (which is safer), increases the activation of your glutes, and enables you to lift more weight with a lower risk of pain or injury.

The Best Goblet Squat Alternatives

1. Heel-Elevated Goblet Squat

In the heel-elevated goblet squat, you elevate your heels 1-to-2 inches off the floor using a sturdy object like a weight plate, step, or squat wedge. Elevating your heels enables you to squat deeper, regardless of your ankle mobility, making the heels-elevated goblet squat a good option for those with limited lower-body flexibility.

Performing the goblet squat with elevated heels also demands more from your quads, making the heel-elevated goblet squat an excellent goblet squat variation for those seeking to maximize their quad development.

2. Kettlebell Goblet Squat

The kettlebell goblet squat (or “KB goblet squat”) is almost identical to the dumbbell goblet squat. The only difference is you hold a kettlebell by the “horns” (the vertical parts of a kettlebell handle) at chest height instead of a dumbbell.

As such, you can think of the kettlebell and dumbbell goblet squats as interchangeable—do whichever you have equipment for. 

3. Sumo Goblet Squat

Many people think the sumo goblet squat is the best goblet squat for glutes because research shows squatting with a wider stance will increase glute activation. Taking a wider stance additionally allows you to squat deeper, which tends to be higher for coaching your glutes.

+ Scientific References