10 Best Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip) Alternatives for Gym & Home

The Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip) is done standing with a Smith machine. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Smith Low Bar Squat, the Smith Squat and the Sled Closer Hack Squat.

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

Original Exercise: Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)

Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)Play demonstration
Primary muscle
Glutes
Equipment
Smith-machine
Difficulty
Intermediate
Type
Compound

Secondary muscles: Quadriceps, Hamstrings, Calves, Core

How to perform Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
  1. Set up the smith machine with the barbell at shoulder height.
  2. Stand facing the barbell with your feet shoulder-width apart.
  3. Grasp the barbell with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
  4. Step back and position the barbell on your front shoulders, resting it on your collarbone and deltoids.
  5. Keep your chest up, back straight, and core engaged.
  6. Lower your body by bending at the knees and hips, as if sitting back into a chair.
  7. Continue lowering until your thighs are parallel to the ground or slightly below.
  8. Pause for a moment, then push through your heels to return to the starting position.
  9. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Filter Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip) alternatives by your equipmentTell us what you have and we'll hide exercises you can't do.

Quick presets

Equipment you can use
20 more equipment types

Sign in to remember your equipment on every page.

Ranked Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip) Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip) 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
    Smith Low Bar SquatPlay demonstration

    1. Smith Low Bar Squat

    86% match
    • Glutes
    • Smith-machine
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    It uses the same equipment and still works the glutes.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Set up the smith machine with the barbell at a height that allows you to comfortably rest it on your upper back.
    2. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned outwards.
    3. Step under the bar and position it across your upper back, resting it on your traps.
    4. Grip the bar with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    5. Unrack the bar by straightening your legs and stepping back from the rack.
    6. Take a deep breath and brace your core.
    7. Initiate the squat by pushing your hips back and bending your knees.
    8. Lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the ground or slightly below.
    9. Keep your chest up and your back straight throughout the movement.
    10. Drive through your heels to stand back up, extending your hips and knees.
    11. 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 Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
  2. Smith SquatPlay demonstration

    2. Smith Squat

    84% match
    • Glutes
    • Smith-machine
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Set up the smith machine with the barbell at an appropriate height for your squat.
    2. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned out.
    3. Position yourself under the barbell, resting it on your upper traps and shoulders.
    4. Grip the barbell with a wide grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    5. Engage your core and unrack the barbell, stepping back to clear the rack.
    6. Keeping your chest up and back straight, initiate the squat by bending at the hips and knees.
    7. Lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the ground or slightly below.
    8. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then drive through your heels to return to the starting position.
    9. 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 Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
  3. Sled Closer Hack SquatPlay demonstration

    3. Sled Closer Hack Squat

    84% match
    • Glutes
    • Sled
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    A good swap when you have a sled to work with, and it still works the glutes.

    How to perform this exercise
    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.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
  4. Sled Hack SquatPlay demonstration

    4. Sled Hack Squat

    84% match
    • Glutes
    • Sled
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Adjust the sled machine to a comfortable position for your height.
    2. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart on the platform, toes slightly pointed outwards.
    3. Hold onto the handles or bars for stability.
    4. Lower your body by bending your knees and hips, keeping your back straight and chest up.
    5. Continue lowering until your thighs are parallel to the ground or slightly below.
    6. Pause for a moment, then push through your heels to raise your body back up to the starting position.
    7. 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 Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
  5. Frankenstein SquatPlay demonstration

    5. Frankenstein Squat

    84% match
    • Glutes
    • Barbell
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    A good swap when you have a barbell to work with, and it still works the glutes.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold the barbell in front of your body with straight arms.
    2. Keeping your back straight, lower your body by bending at the knees and hips, as if sitting back into a chair.
    3. Continue lowering until your thighs are parallel to the ground, or as low as you can comfortably go.
    4. Pause for a moment, then push through your heels to return to the starting position.
    5. 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 Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
    • Equipment: free weights, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
  6. Smith Full SquatPlay demonstration

    6. Smith Full Squat

    84% match
    • Glutes
    • Smith-machine
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Set up the smith machine with the barbell at shoulder height.
    2. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned out.
    3. Step under the bar and position it across your upper back, resting on your traps.
    4. Grip the bar with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    5. Unrack the bar and take a step back, maintaining a stable stance.
    6. Keeping your chest up and core engaged, initiate the squat by pushing your hips back and bending your knees.
    7. Lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the ground, or as low as your flexibility allows.
    8. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then drive through your heels to return to the starting position.
    9. 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 Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
  7. Smith Sumo SquatPlay demonstration

    7. Smith Sumo Squat

    84% match
    • Glutes
    • Smith-machine
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Set up the smith machine with the barbell at hip height.
    2. Stand with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart, toes pointing outwards.
    3. Position yourself under the barbell, resting it on your upper back and shoulders.
    4. Engage your core and keep your chest up as you lower your body down into a squat position, pushing your hips back and bending your knees.
    5. Lower yourself until your thighs are parallel to the ground, or as low as you can comfortably go.
    6. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your heels to return to the starting position.
    7. 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 Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
  8. Barbell Full Zercher SquatPlay demonstration

    8. Barbell Full Zercher Squat

    83% match
    • Glutes
    • Barbell
    • Advanced
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and toes slightly turned out.
    2. Hold the barbell in the crooks of your elbows, with your hands gripping the barbell for stability.
    3. Engage your core and keep your chest lifted as you lower your hips back and down into a squat position.
    4. Keep your knees in line with your toes and your weight in your heels.
    5. Lower until your thighs are parallel to the ground, or as low as you can comfortably go.
    6. Drive through your heels to stand back up, squeezing your glutes at the top of the movement.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
    • Equipment: free weights, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
  9. Smith Hack SquatPlay demonstration

    9. Smith Hack Squat

    82% match
    • Glutes
    • Smith-machine
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Adjust the barbell on the smith machine to an appropriate height for your body.
    2. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly pointed outwards.
    3. Position yourself under the barbell, resting it on your upper traps and shoulders.
    4. Grasp the barbell with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    5. Engage your core and keep your chest up as you unrack the barbell.
    6. Take a step back and position your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    7. Bend your knees and lower your body down, keeping your chest up and back straight.
    8. Continue descending until your thighs are parallel to the ground or slightly below.
    9. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your heels to return to the starting position.
    10. 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 Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
  10. Barbell High Bar SquatPlay demonstration

    10. Barbell High Bar Squat

    78% match
    • Glutes
    • Barbell
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned out.
    2. Place the barbell on your upper back, resting it on your traps.
    3. Engage your core and keep your chest up as you begin to squat down, pushing your hips back and bending your knees.
    4. Lower yourself until your thighs are parallel to the ground, or as low as you can comfortably go.
    5. Drive through your heels to stand back up, extending your hips and knees.
    6. 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 Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
    • Equipment: free weights, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)

Why You Might Need a Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip) Alternative

You might substitute the Smith Front Squat for several reasons: limited shoulder or wrist mobility prevents a clean grip, a Smith machine isn't available, or you need more unilateral work to fix strength imbalances. Injuries to the wrist, elbow, or shoulder often make front-bar grips painful; choosing a trap-bar or goblet position reduces wrist/shoulder strain while preserving hip and knee loading. Other times you want greater core demand and stabilization from free weights. When you swap exercises, target the same movement pattern, knee and hip extension, and cue bracing and heel drive to maintain glute recruitment.

Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip) FAQ

What muscles does Smith Front Squat (clean Grip) work?

The Smith Front Squat (clean grip) emphasizes the quadriceps and gluteus maximus, with secondary demand on the adductors, hamstrings, erector spinae, and core. The upright torso and forward bar position shift torque toward knee extension while still requiring hip extension, so you feel substantial glute activation when you drive through the heels.

What is the best bodyweight alternative to Smith Front Squat (clean Grip)?

A Bulgarian split squat is the top bodyweight alternative because it isolates each leg and loads the glute via hip extension. Cue: descend with weight on the front heel, keep the torso slightly forward, then drive the front foot into the floor to extend the hip and maximize glute activation.

Find Alternatives for Any Exercise

Search the exercise database and filter the ranked substitutes by the equipment you own.

Similarity scores compare exercise metadata such as movement pattern, muscles, equipment and body position. They are not a safety rating or a check that you own the equipment. Learn about our methodology