How to Front Squat and Build Your Abs

Don't fret the squat rack any longer. It's here to help.

The gym floor at a cross-training studio, with barbells and weights.

We don't typically associate barbells with chiseled abs, but this move should change that.

By Tanner Garrity

One clutch thing to know about training your core: you don’t really have to swing around any weights.

Today’s trainers still love the Captain’s chair, which the American Council on Exercise dubbed the very best ab exercise for over two decades. “Mat work” is as potent as ever, too — old-school planks, bird dogs, bicycle crunches and dead bugs will get you pretty far on their own.

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Still, introducing a barbell to your abdominal training can help rejuvenate the regimen, offering both a fresh challenge and a chance to train muscles up and down the spine in one fell swoop. And one of the most functional moves for this express purpose is the front squat (or “ab squat,” as some call it online). It’s basically a squat where you hold the bar in front of the chest, which makes the exercise especially difficult. The body wants to fall forward, your core has to fight to keep everything aligned.

How To Do The Front Squat

The number of reps and sets for the front squat depends entirely on your fitness level (beginner, intermediate or advanced) and your specific focus in the gym (strength or endurance).

We’ll assume some intermediacy here and say strength lifters should aim for four sets of five to eight reps with two minutes of rest in between, while endurance lifters should aim for four sets of 15 to 20 reps with 45 seconds of rest in between. Weight accordingly. Here’s the move:

Why We Like The Front Squat

Lots of reasons. For one, the front squat doesn’t just activate the abs. It’s also an effective way to target the quadriceps, core, and upper back, while offering a unique challenge compared to traditional back squats.

Plus, it relies on your sense mobility and stability, which means that (a) it’s a very functional exercise, (b) it’s great for your joints in the long run and (c) it’s able to help you build a stronger mind-body connection. (All the vogue these days in strength training circles.)

When attempting it, remember to choose an appropriate weight and maintain alignment. Keep those elbows high. If you’re intimidated by the squat rack, consider starting with two dumbbells (there’s a great tutorial on YouTube here), or working with a medicine ball. That modification should prove a boon for your grip strength, too.

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