10 Best Kneeling Jump Squat Alternatives for Glute Power
The Kneeling Jump Squat is done kneeling with a barbell. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Kneeling Squat, the Barbell Full Squat and the Barbell High Bar Squat.
Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works
Original Exercise: Kneeling Jump Squat
- Primary muscle
- Glutes
- Equipment
- Barbell
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Type
- Compound
Secondary muscles: Quadriceps, Hamstrings, Calves
How to perform Kneeling Jump Squat
- Start by kneeling on the ground with your feet hip-width apart and your toes pointing forward.
- Hold a barbell across your upper back, resting it on your shoulders.
- Engage your core and glutes, then explosively jump up into the air, extending your hips and knees.
- As you jump, push through your toes and fully extend your ankles, knees, and hips.
- Land softly back on the ground, bending your knees to absorb the impact.
- Immediately go into the next repetition, repeating the jump squat motion.
Ranked Kneeling Jump Squat Alternatives
10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Kneeling Jump 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. Kneeling Squat
90% match- Glutes
- Barbell
- Intermediate
- Compound
Pick this when you want an easier version that still works the glutes.
How to perform this exercise
- Set the bar to the proper height in a power rack. Kneel behind the bar; it may be beneficial to put a mat down to pad your knees. Slide under the bar, racking it across the back of your shoulders. Your shoulder blades should be retracted and the bar tight across your back. Unrack the weight.
- With your head looking forward, sit back with your butt until you touch your calves.
- Reverse the motion, returning the torso to an upright position.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Movement: two-legged squat, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Body position: kneeling, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
2. Barbell Full Squat
83% match- Glutes
- Barbell
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned out.
- Hold the barbell across your upper back, resting it on your traps or rear delts.
- Engage your core and keep your chest up as you begin to lower your body down.
- Bend at the knees and hips, pushing your hips back and down as if sitting into a chair.
- Lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the ground or slightly below.
- Keep your knees in line with your toes and your weight in your heels.
- Drive through your heels to stand back up, extending your hips and knees.
- 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 Kneeling Jump Squat
- Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Body position: standing, not kneeling
3. Barbell High Bar Squat
83% match- Glutes
- Barbell
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned out.
- Place the barbell on your upper back, resting it on your traps.
- Engage your core and keep your chest up as you begin to squat down, pushing your hips back and bending your knees.
- Lower yourself until your thighs are parallel to the ground, or as low as you can comfortably go.
- Drive through your heels to stand back up, extending your hips and knees.
- 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 Kneeling Jump Squat
- Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Body position: standing, not kneeling
4. Barbell Low Bar Squat
83% match- Glutes
- Barbell
- Advanced
- Compound
The same equipment, done standing instead.
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and the barbell resting on your upper back.
- Keeping your chest up and core engaged, slowly lower your body by bending your knees and pushing your hips back.
- Continue lowering until your thighs are parallel to the ground or slightly below.
- Pause for a moment, then push through your heels to return to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.
Why this matches
- Movement: two-legged squat, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Body position: standing, not kneeling
5. Weighted Squat
83% match- Glutes
- Weighted
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes pointing slightly outward.
- Hold a weight in front of your chest or on your shoulders.
- Engage your core and keep your chest up as you lower your hips down and back, as if sitting into a chair.
- Lower until your thighs are parallel to the ground, or as low as you can comfortably go.
- Push through your heels to stand back up, squeezing your glutes at the top.
- 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 Kneeling Jump Squat
- Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Body position: standing, not kneeling
6. Barbell Jump Squat
82% match- Glutes
- Barbell
- Advanced
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a barbell across your upper back.
- Lower your body into a squat position by bending your knees and pushing your hips back.
- Once you reach the bottom of the squat, explode upwards by jumping off the ground.
- As you jump, extend your hips, knees, and ankles, pushing through your toes.
- Land softly back into the squat position and immediately repeat the movement for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.
Why this matches
- Movement: two-legged squat, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Body position: standing, not kneeling
7. Barbell Speed Squat
82% match- Glutes
- Barbell
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned out.
- Hold the barbell across your upper back, resting it on your traps or rear delts.
- Engage your core and keep your chest up as you lower your hips back and down, as if sitting into a chair.
- Lower until your thighs are parallel to the ground, or as low as you can comfortably go.
- Drive through your heels to stand back up, squeezing your glutes at the top.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.
Why this matches
- Movement: two-legged squat, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Body position: standing, not kneeling
- Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Kneeling Jump Squat
8. Jump Squat
81% 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 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
- Movement: two-legged squat, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: standing, not kneeling
9. Barbell Jefferson Squat
78% match- Glutes
- Barbell
- Advanced
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and toes slightly turned out.
- Hold the barbell with an overhand grip, resting it on the front of your body, just below your waist.
- Step your left foot forward and your right foot back, keeping your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Bend your knees and lower your body down into a squat position, keeping your back straight and chest up.
- Push through your heels to stand back up to the starting position.
- Repeat the movement, alternating your forward and back foot with each repetition.
Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.
Why this matches
- Movement: two-legged squat, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Body position: standing, not kneeling
10. Barbell Hack Squat
78% match- Glutes
- Barbell
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your toes slightly turned out.
- Hold the barbell behind your legs, resting it on your upper thighs.
- Lower your body by bending at the knees and hips, keeping your back straight and your chest up.
- Continue lowering until your thighs are parallel to the ground, or as low as you can comfortably go.
- Pause for a moment, then push through your heels to return to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.
Why this matches
- Movement: two-legged squat, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kneeling Jump Squat
- Body position: standing, not kneeling
Kneeling Jump Squat FAQ
What muscles does Kneeling Jump Squat work?
The Kneeling Jump Squat primarily targets the gluteus maximus through powerful hip extension, with secondary involvement from the hamstrings, quadriceps, adductors, calves, and core stabilizers. Biomechanically it uses a stretch-shortening cycle of the hip extensors, so cue explosive hip extension while maintaining a neutral spine to maximize glute activation.
What is the best bodyweight alternative to Kneeling Jump Squat?
The best bodyweight substitute for power and glute activation is the standing jump squat (or broad jump) because it preserves explosive hip extension without specialized equipment. Cue a quick hip hinge, drive through the heels, and land softly with hips and knees absorbing force to maintain glute and hamstring engagement.
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