10 Best Sled Closer Hack Squat Alternatives for No-Sled Training

The Sled Closer Hack Squat is done standing with a sled. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Potty Squat With Support, the Jump Squat and the Bodyweight Drop Jump Squat.

Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works

Original Exercise: Sled Closer Hack Squat

Primary muscle
Glutes
Equipment
Sled
Difficulty
Intermediate
Type
Compound

Secondary muscles: Quadriceps, Hamstrings, Calves

How to perform Sled Closer Hack Squat
  1. Adjust the sled machine to a comfortable weight and position yourself with your back against the pad.
  2. Place your feet shoulder-width apart on the platform, toes slightly pointed outwards.
  3. Grip the handles on the sides of the machine for stability.
  4. Engage your core and slowly lower your body by bending your knees and hips, keeping your back straight.
  5. Continue lowering until your thighs are parallel to the ground or slightly below.
  6. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your heels to extend your legs and return to the starting position.
  7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
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Ranked Sled Closer Hack Squat Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Sled Closer Hack 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. 2. Jump Squat

    78% 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 Sled Closer Hack Squat
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Sled Closer Hack Squat
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Sled Closer Hack Squat
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Sled Closer Hack Squat
    • 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 Sled Closer Hack Squat
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Sled Closer Hack Squat
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Sled Closer Hack Squat
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Sled Closer Hack Squat
  2. Bodyweight Squat
    • Quads
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound

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

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. You can place your hands behind your head. This will be your starting position.
    2. Begin the movement by flexing your knees and hips, sitting back with your hips.
    3. 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
    • Movement: two-legged squat, the same as the Sled Closer Hack Squat
    • Primary muscle: quads, not glutes
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Sled Closer Hack Squat
    • 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
    1. Stand with your back against a wall and your feet hip-width apart.
    2. Slowly slide your back down the wall until your knees are bent at a 90-degree angle.
    3. Lift your right foot off the ground and bring your knee towards your chest.
    4. Lower your right foot back down and lift your left foot off the ground, bringing your knee towards your chest.
    5. Continue alternating between lifting your right and left foot for the desired number of repetitions.

    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 Sled Closer Hack Squat
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Sled Closer Hack Squat
    • 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 glutes
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Sled Closer Hack Squat
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Sled Closer Hack Squat
    • Lats
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound

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

    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 glutes
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Sled Closer Hack Squat
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Sled Closer Hack Squat
  3. Freehand Jump Squat
    • 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 Sled Closer Hack Squat
    • Primary muscle: quads, not glutes
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Sled Closer Hack Squat
    • Abs
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    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 Sled Closer Hack Squat
    • Primary muscle: abs, not glutes
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Sled Closer Hack Squat
  4. Sit Squats
    • Quadriceps
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. This will be your starting position.
    2. Begin the movement by flexing your knees and hips, sitting back with your hips.
    3. Continue until you have squatted a portion of the way down, but are above parallel, and quickly reverse the motion until you return to the starting position. Repeat for 5-10 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 Sled Closer Hack Squat
    • Primary muscle: quadriceps, not glutes
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Sled Closer Hack Squat

Sled Closer Hack Squat FAQ

What muscles does Sled Closer Hack Squat work?

The Sled Closer Hack Squat primarily targets the glutes and quadriceps while recruiting the adductors and hamstrings as secondary muscles. Driving through the heels and fully extending the hips increases posterior-chain and glute medius/major activation.

What is the best bodyweight alternative to Sled Closer Hack Squat?

The Bulgarian split squat is the best bodyweight alternative. Use a long step, descend until the front thigh is near parallel, and drive through the front heel while squeezing the glute at lockout to emphasize unilateral hip-extension and glute recruitment.

Can I build muscle without doing Sled Closer Hack Squat?

Yes, you can build glute and upper-leg muscle with other compound lifts that load hip and knee extension. Prioritize progressive overload, slow eccentrics and explosive concentrics (cue 'slow down, drive up') and use exercises that ensure strong glute recruitment by driving through the heels and achieving a full hip squeeze.

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