Exercise guide
Lever Reverse Vertical Hack Squat
- Intermediate
- Compound
- Rep-based
- Lower legs
- Upper legs
The Lever Reverse Vertical Hack Squat is a potent posterior-chain-focused movement that emphasizes the glutes and hamstrings by allowing for a deeper hip hinge than the standard variation. It provides the stability of a machine while allowing for heavy loading and intense muscle recruitment through a fixed path.
Reviewed by the Crucible Fit team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Face the machine and position your shoulders firmly under the padded bolsters.
- Place your feet shoulder-width apart on the platform, positioned slightly higher than center to prioritize the glutes and hamstrings.
- Grip the handles provided and stand up to disengage the safety locks.
- Maintain a neutral spine with your core braced and your torso angled slightly forward against the machine's support.
How to do it
- Inhale and brace your core as you slowly lower the weight by hinging at the hips and bending the knees.
- Descend until your thighs are at least parallel to the footplate, ensuring your lower back remains flat and does not round.
- Exhale and drive forcefully through your heels to return to the starting position, focusing on squeezing your glutes at the top.
- Maintain a controlled tempo, taking approximately two seconds for the descent and one second for the ascent.
Form checklist
- Keep your heels glued to the platform throughout the entire range of motion.
- Ensure your knees track in line with your toes and do not cave inward.
- Maintain a braced core and a neutral spine to protect the lumbar region.
- Avoid fully locking out your knees at the top of the movement to keep tension on the muscles.
Pro tips
- Focus on 'pushing the floor away' with your heels to maximize glute and hamstring engagement.
- At the bottom of the rep, pause for a split second to feel the stretch in the glutes before initiating the upward drive.
- Adjust your foot width slightly wider to increase adductor and inner-glute recruitment.
Make it harder
- Add a 2-second pause at the bottom of each rep to eliminate momentum and increase time under tension.
- Perform 1.5 reps by descending fully, rising halfway, descending again, and then returning to the top.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the lever reverse vertical hack squat work?
- The lever reverse vertical hack squat primarily targets the glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps, and also works the abs and obliques as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the lever reverse vertical hack squat?
- The lever reverse vertical hack squat uses leverage machine.
- Is the lever reverse vertical hack squat good for beginners?
- The lever reverse vertical hack squat is rated intermediate. Build a base with simpler variations first, then progress to it with light load and strict form.
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