10 Best Box Squat Alternatives for Limited Equipment

Ranked Box Squat Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Box Squat on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

1. Best match

   

   1. Standing Long Jump

   75% match

   • Quadriceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Advanced
   • Compound

   Use this when you have nothing to train with, because it works the quadriceps with bodyweight alone.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. This drill is best done in sand or other soft landing surface. Ensure that you are able to measure distance. Stand in a partial squat stance with feet shoulder width apart.
   2. Utilizing a big arm swing and a countermovement of the legs, jump forward as far as you can.
   3. Attempt to land with your feet out in front you, reaching as far as possible with your legs.
   4. Measure the distance from your landing point to the starting point and track results.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: quadriceps, the same as the Box Squat
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Box Squat
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Box Squat
2. Play demonstration

   2. Potty Squat

   69% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   A looser match: it works the abs rather than the quadriceps.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes pointing slightly outward.
   2. Lower your body down by bending your knees and pushing your hips back as if you were sitting on a chair.
   3. Keep your chest up and your back straight throughout the movement.
   4. Lower yourself until your thighs are parallel to the ground or as low as you can comfortably go.
   5. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your heels to return to the starting position.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: two-legged squat, the same as the Box Squat
   • Primary muscle: abs, not quadriceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Box Squat
3. Play demonstration

   3. Potty Squat With Support

   67% match

   • Glutes
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   A looser match: it works the glutes rather than the quadriceps.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes pointing slightly outward.
   2. Hold onto a stable support, such as a chair or wall, for balance.
   3. Lower your body down into a squat position by bending your knees and pushing your hips back.
   4. Keep your chest up and your back straight throughout the movement.
   5. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your heels to return to the starting position.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: two-legged squat, the same as the Box Squat
   • Primary muscle: glutes, not quadriceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Box Squat
   • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Box Squat
4. Play demonstration

   4. Bodyweight Squatting Row

   66% match

   • Lats
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   A looser match: it works the lats rather than the quadriceps.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding onto a sturdy object or suspension trainer with your arms extended.
   2. Lower your body into a squat position, keeping your back straight and your knees behind your toes.
   3. From the squat position, pull your body up towards the object or suspension trainer, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your body back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: lats, not quadriceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Box Squat
5. Play demonstration

   5. Semi Squat Jump

   66% match

   • Quads
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   A looser match: it works the quads rather than the quadriceps.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
   2. Bend your knees and lower your body into a squat position.
   3. Jump explosively, extending your hips and knees while swinging your arms for momentum.
   4. Land softly on the balls of your feet and immediately go into the next repetition.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: two-legged squat, the same as the Box Squat
   • Primary muscle: quads, not quadriceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Box Squat
6. Play demonstration

   6. Squat To Overhead Reach

   66% match

   • Quads
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and toes slightly turned out.
   2. Lower your body down into a squat position by bending your knees and pushing your hips back.
   3. As you come up from the squat, extend your arms overhead, reaching towards the ceiling.
   4. Return to the starting position by lowering your arms and bending your knees to squat down again.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: quads, not quadriceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Box Squat
7. Play demonstration

   7. Squat To Overhead Reach With Twist

   65% match

   • Quads
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and toes slightly turned out.
   2. Lower your body into a squat position by bending your knees and pushing your hips back.
   3. As you come up from the squat, raise your arms overhead and twist your torso to one side.
   4. Return to the starting position and repeat the squat, this time twisting your torso to the opposite side.
   5. Continue alternating sides with each squat repetition.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: quads, not quadriceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Box Squat
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Box Squat
8. Play demonstration

   8. Jump Squat

   65% match

   • Glutes
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
   2. Lower your body into a squat position by bending your knees and pushing your hips back.
   3. Jump explosively off the ground, extending your hips, knees, and ankles.
   4. While in mid-air, quickly bring your arms forward for balance.
   5. Land softly on the balls of your feet and immediately go into the next repetition.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: two-legged squat, the same as the Box Squat
   • Primary muscle: glutes, not quadriceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Box Squat
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Box Squat
9. 

   9. Freehand Jump Squat

   64% match

   • Quads
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Cross your arms over your chest.
   2. With your head up and your back straight, position your feet at shoulder width.
   3. Keeping your back straight and chest up, squat down as you inhale until your upper thighs are parallel, or lower, to the floor.
   4. Now pressing mainly with the ball of your feet, jump straight up in the air as high as possible, using the thighs like springs. Exhale during this portion of the movement.
   5. When you touch the floor again, immediately squat down and jump again.
   6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: two-legged squat, the same as the Box Squat
   • Primary muscle: quads, not quadriceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Box Squat
   • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Box Squat
10. Play demonstration

    10. Bodyweight Drop Jump Squat

    64% match

    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    2. Lower your body into a squat position by bending your knees and pushing your hips back.
    3. Jump up explosively, extending your hips, knees, and ankles.
    4. While in mid-air, quickly bring your feet together.
    5. Land softly on the balls of your feet and immediately drop back into a squat position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches

    • Movement: two-legged squat, the same as the Box Squat
    • Primary muscle: glutes, not quadriceps
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Box Squat
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Box Squat