Exercise guide
Lever Chair Squat
- Intermediate
- Compound
- Rep-based
- Lower legs
- Upper legs
The Lever Chair Squat provides a stabilized environment to build lower body strength, specifically targeting the quadriceps and glutes while minimizing lower back strain. The fixed lever path allows for a deep range of motion and consistent tension throughout the entire squatting movement.
Reviewed by the Crucible team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Position yourself in the machine with your back firmly against the backrest and shoulders tucked under the padded levers.
- Place your feet shoulder-width apart on the platform with your toes slightly pointed outward.
- Grip the safety handles and disengage the locking mechanism to take the weight.
- Maintain a neutral spine and engage your core to stabilize your torso against the pad.
How to do it
- Inhale and slowly lower the weight by bending at the hips and knees, keeping your back pressed against the pad.
- Continue the descent until your thighs are at least parallel to the foot platform, ensuring your heels stay grounded.
- Exhale and drive through your heels to push the lever back up to the starting position.
- Perform the movement with a controlled 2-second descent and a powerful 1-second ascent, stopping just before locking your knees.
Form checklist
- Keep your back and hips in constant contact with the backrest to protect your spine.
- Ensure your knees track in the same direction as your toes throughout the movement.
- Avoid 'butt wink' or rounding the lower back at the bottom of the squat.
- Keep your weight distributed through your heels and mid-foot, never shifting to your toes.
Pro tips
- To emphasize the quadriceps, place your feet lower on the platform; to emphasize the glutes, move your feet higher.
- Focus on 'pushing the platform away' rather than just standing up to improve mind-muscle connection.
- Pause for one second at the bottom of the rep to eliminate momentum and increase muscle fiber recruitment.
Make it harder
- Slow down the eccentric phase to 4 seconds to maximize time under tension.
- Perform 1.5 reps by going all the way down, coming halfway up, going back down, and then standing all the way up.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the lever chair squat work?
- The lever chair squat primarily targets the calves, glutes, and quadriceps, and also works the adductors and hamstrings as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the lever chair squat?
- The lever chair squat uses leverage machine.
- Is the lever chair squat good for beginners?
- The lever chair squat is rated intermediate. Build a base with simpler variations first, then progress to it with light load and strict form.
Related exercises
- 3 Point Standing HopsIntermediate · calves, glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps
- 4 Cone Single Foot Lateral HopsIntermediate · calves, glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps
- 4 Way Single Leg HopAdvanced · calves, glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps
- Alternate Foot HopscotchIntermediate · calves, glutes, and quadriceps