10 Best Smith Machine Squat Alternatives for Quad Strength

The Smith Machine Squat is done standing with a Smith machine. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Bodyweight Squat, the Squat To Overhead Reach and the Freehand Jump Squat.

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

Original Exercise: Smith Machine Squat

Smith Machine Squat
Primary muscle
Quads
Equipment
Smith-machine
Difficulty
Intermediate
Type
Compound

Secondary muscles: Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Lower Back

How to perform Smith Machine Squat
  1. To begin, first set the bar on the height that best matches your height. Once the correct height is chosen and the bar is loaded, step under the bar and place the back of your shoulders (slightly below the neck) across it.
  2. Hold on to the bar using both arms at each side (palms facing forward), unlock it and lift it off the rack by first pushing with your legs and at the same time straightening your torso.
  3. Position your legs using a shoulder width medium stance with the toes slightly pointed out. Keep your head up at all times and also maintain a straight back. This will be your starting position. (Note: For the purposes of this discussion we will use the medium stance which targets overall development; however you can choose any of the three stances discussed in the foot stances section).
  4. Begin to slowly lower the bar by bending the knees as you maintain a straight posture with the head up. Continue down until the angle between the upper leg and the calves becomes slightly less than 90-degrees (which is the point in which the upper legs are below parallel to the floor). Inhale as you perform this portion of the movement. Tip: If you performed the exercise correctly, the front of the knees should make an imaginary straight line with the toes that is perpendicular to the front. If your knees are past that imaginary line (if they are past your toes) then you are placing undue stress on the knee and the exercise has been performed incorrectly.
  5. Begin to raise the bar as you exhale by pushing the floor with the heel of your foot as you straighten the legs again and go back to the starting position.
  6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
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Ranked Smith Machine Squat Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Smith Machine 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
    Bodyweight Squat

    1. Bodyweight Squat

    85% match
    • Quads
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound

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

    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 Smith Machine Squat
    • Primary muscle: quads, the same as the Smith Machine Squat
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Machine Squat
  2. Squat To Overhead ReachPlay demonstration

    2. Squat To Overhead Reach

    82% 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, the same as the Smith Machine Squat
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Machine Squat
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Smith Machine Squat
  3. Freehand Jump Squat

    3. Freehand Jump Squat

    81% 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 Smith Machine Squat
    • Primary muscle: quads, the same as the Smith Machine Squat
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Machine Squat
  4. Squat To Overhead Reach With TwistPlay demonstration

    4. Squat To Overhead Reach With Twist

    80% 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, the same as the Smith Machine Squat
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Machine Squat
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Smith Machine Squat
  5. QuadsPlay demonstration

    5. Quads

    79% match
    • Quads
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    2. Lower your body by bending your knees and pushing your hips back as if sitting on a chair.
    3. Keep your chest up and your back straight.
    4. Lower yourself until your thighs are parallel to the ground.
    5. 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
    • Primary muscle: quads, the same as the Smith Machine Squat
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Machine Squat
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Smith Machine Squat
  6. Semi Squat JumpPlay demonstration

    6. Semi Squat Jump

    78% match
    • Quads
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    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 Smith Machine Squat
    • Primary muscle: quads, the same as the Smith Machine Squat
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Machine Squat
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Smith Machine Squat
  7. Bench Jump

    7. Bench Jump

    72% match
    • Quads
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Begin with a box or bench 1-2 feet in front of you. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. This will be your starting position.
    2. Perform a short squat in preparation for the jump; swing your arms behind you.
    3. Rebound out of this position, extending through the hips, knees, and ankles to jump as high as possible. Swing your arms forward and up.
    4. Jump over the bench, landing with the knees bent, absorbing the impact through the legs.
    5. Turn around and face the opposite direction, then jump back over the bench.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: quads, the same as the Smith Machine Squat
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Machine Squat
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Smith Machine Squat
  8. Rocket Jump

    8. Rocket Jump

    71% match
    • Quads
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Begin in a relaxed stance with your feet shoulder width apart and hold your arms close to the body.
    2. To initiate the move, squat down halfway and explode back up as high as possible.
    3. Fully extend your entire body, reaching overhead as far as possible. As you land, absorb your impact through the legs.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: quads, the same as the Smith Machine Squat
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Machine Squat
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Smith Machine Squat
  9. Sissy SquatPlay demonstration

    9. Sissy Squat

    71% match
    • Quads
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your toes pointing slightly outward.
    2. Hold onto a stable object for balance if needed.
    3. Slowly lower your body by bending your knees and leaning back, keeping your torso upright.
    4. Continue lowering until your thighs are parallel to the ground or as far as you can comfortably go.
    5. Pause for a moment, 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 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: two-legged squat, the same as the Smith Machine Squat
    • Primary muscle: quads, the same as the Smith Machine Squat
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Machine Squat
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Smith Machine Squat
  10. Backward JumpPlay demonstration

    10. Backward Jump

    71% match
    • Quads
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    2. Bend your knees slightly and jump backwards, pushing off with both feet.
    3. Land softly on the balls of your feet, bending your knees to absorb the impact.
    4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: quads, the same as the Smith Machine Squat
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Machine Squat
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Smith Machine Squat

Smith Machine Squat FAQ

Can I do the Smith Machine Squat at home?

Not on a Smith machine, but the Bodyweight Squat covers the same movement with nothing more than the floor you are on. You stand feet shoulder width apart and sit back with your hips to full depth, the same knee-bending job the Smith Machine Squat does, just without a bar. Add a barbell later once you want more weight.

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