10 Best Kettlebell Goblet Squat Alternatives for Home and Gym
The Kettlebell Goblet Squat is done standing with a kettlebell. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Jump Squat, the Potty Squat With Support and the Bodyweight Drop Jump Squat.
Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works
Original Exercise: Kettlebell Goblet Squat
- Primary muscle
- Glutes
- Equipment
- Kettlebell
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Type
- Compound
Secondary muscles: Quadriceps, Hamstrings, Calves
How to perform Kettlebell Goblet Squat
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a kettlebell close to your chest with both hands.
- Keeping your chest up and core engaged, lower your body down into a squat position by bending at the knees and hips.
- Continue lowering until your thighs are parallel to the ground, or as low as you can comfortably go.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your heels to return to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Ranked Kettlebell Goblet Squat Alternatives
10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Kettlebell Goblet 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.
Best match 1. Jump Squat
74% match- Glutes
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
Use this when you have nothing to train with, because it works the glutes with bodyweight alone.
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Lower your body into a squat position by bending your knees and pushing your hips back.
- Jump explosively off the ground, extending your hips, knees, and ankles.
- While in mid-air, quickly bring your arms forward for balance.
- Land softly on the balls of your feet and immediately go into the next repetition.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Kettlebell Goblet Squat
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: standing, the same as the Kettlebell Goblet Squat
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Kettlebell Goblet Squat
2. Potty Squat With Support
73% match- Glutes
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes pointing slightly outward.
- Hold onto a stable support, such as a chair or wall, for balance.
- Lower your body down into a squat position by bending your knees and pushing your hips back.
- Keep your chest up and your back straight throughout the movement.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your heels to return to the starting position.
- 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: glutes, the same as the Kettlebell Goblet Squat
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: standing, the same as the Kettlebell Goblet Squat
- Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Kettlebell Goblet Squat
3. Bodyweight Drop Jump Squat
73% match- Glutes
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Lower your body into a squat position by bending your knees and pushing your hips back.
- Jump up explosively, extending your hips, knees, and ankles.
- While in mid-air, quickly bring your feet together.
- Land softly on the balls of your feet and immediately drop back into a squat position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Kettlebell Goblet Squat
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: standing, the same as the Kettlebell Goblet Squat
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Kettlebell Goblet Squat
4. Curtsey Squat
71% match- Glutes
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Compound
Pick this when you want an easier version that works the glutes one side at a time.
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Take a step diagonally behind and across your body with your right foot, crossing it behind your left leg.
- Bend both knees as if you were curtsying, lowering your body towards the ground.
- Keep your torso upright and your weight on your front foot.
- Push through your front foot to return to the starting position.
- Repeat on the other side, stepping diagonally behind and across your body with your left foot.
Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps on each side, and add reps before you add load.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Kettlebell Goblet Squat
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: standing, the same as the Kettlebell Goblet Squat
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Kettlebell Goblet Squat
5. Single Leg Squat (Pistol) Male
68% match- Glutes
- Bodyweight
- Advanced
- Compound
Pick this when you want a harder single-leg version that still works the glutes.
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and arms extended in front of you.
- Lift your right foot off the ground and extend it forward.
- Slowly lower your body down by bending your left knee and pushing your hips back.
- Keep your chest up and your back straight as you lower yourself down.
- Lower until your left thigh is parallel to the ground, or as low as you can comfortably go.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your left heel to return to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch legs.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Kettlebell Goblet Squat
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: standing, the same as the Kettlebell Goblet Squat
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Kettlebell Goblet Squat
6. One Leg Squat
67% match- Glutes
- Bodyweight
- Advanced
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Extend one leg forward, keeping it off the ground.
- Bend your standing leg and lower your body down as if sitting back into a chair.
- Keep your chest up and your back straight.
- Push through your heel to return to the starting position.
- Repeat with the other leg.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Kettlebell Goblet Squat
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: standing, the same as the Kettlebell Goblet Squat
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Kettlebell Goblet Squat
7. Squat To Overhead Reach
64% match- Quads
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Compound
A looser match: it works the quads rather than the glutes.
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and toes slightly turned out.
- Lower your body down into a squat position by bending your knees and pushing your hips back.
- As you come up from the squat, extend your arms overhead, reaching towards the ceiling.
- Return to the starting position by lowering your arms and bending your knees to squat down again.
- 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 glutes
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: standing, the same as the Kettlebell Goblet Squat
8. Bodyweight Squatting Row
64% match- Lats
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding onto a sturdy object or suspension trainer with your arms extended.
- Lower your body into a squat position, keeping your back straight and your knees behind your toes.
- From the squat position, pull your body up towards the object or suspension trainer, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
- Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your body back down to the starting position.
- 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 glutes
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: standing, the same as the Kettlebell Goblet Squat
- Quads
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and toes slightly turned out.
- Lower your body into a squat position by bending your knees and pushing your hips back.
- As you come up from the squat, raise your arms overhead and twist your torso to one side.
- Return to the starting position and repeat the squat, this time twisting your torso to the opposite side.
- 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 glutes
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: standing, the same as the Kettlebell Goblet Squat
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Kettlebell Goblet Squat

10. Bodyweight Squat
62% match- Quads
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. You can place your hands behind your head. This will be your starting position.
- Begin the movement by flexing your knees and hips, sitting back with your hips.
- Continue down to full depth if you are able,and quickly reverse the motion until you return to the starting position. As you squat, keep your head and chest up and push your knees out.
Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: quads, not glutes
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: standing, the same as the Kettlebell Goblet Squat
- Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Kettlebell Goblet Squat
Kettlebell Goblet Squat FAQ
What muscles does Kettlebell Goblet Squat work?
The kettlebell goblet squat primarily targets the gluteus maximus and quadriceps, with secondary activation of the hamstrings, adductors, erector spinae and core stabilizers. Use the cue keep chest up and drive through the heels, a more upright torso increases quad loading, while deeper hip flexion raises glute and hamstring contribution.
What is the best bodyweight alternative to Kettlebell Goblet Squat?
A Bulgarian split squat is the best bodyweight alternative for glute and quad development because it raises single-leg load and stability demands. Cue: position rear foot on a bench, descend until the front thigh is near parallel, and drive through the front heel to maximize glute activation.
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