10 Squat Alternatives to Try on Your Next Leg Day
Include them in your strength-training routine for faster, more powerful miles.
We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. Why Trust Us?
Squats are one of the best lower-body exercises to target your glutes, hamstrings, quads, and hips—all important muscles that you use when you run. But if you’re bored of regular old squats and want to switch things up, we’ve got 10 alternatives that will still work all those major leg muscles.
[The best runners don’t just run, they hit the gym. The Beginner’s Guide to Strength Training will teach you all the fundamentals to get the most out of your weight session.]
Banded Lateral Walk
How to: Place a mini resistance band underneath your feet, and stand with feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent. Maintaining a tight core, step your left foot out to the side, followed by your right. Then step back to the left. That’s one rep.
Why it works: This exercise activates the glutes while also helping you improve your form in how your hips, knees, and feet work together, says Rachel Cosgrove, C.S.C.S., co-owner of Results Fitness.
Single Leg Deadlift
How to: Holding a kettlebell in your right hand, stand on your left leg with palms towards your thighs. Keep your left leg slightly bent. Lean forward, extending right leg straight behind you, until torso is parallel to the floor, and kettlebell lowers straight down until almost touching the floor. Drive into your left heel to return to the standing position. (For an extra challenge, at the end of this move, lift your right leg until it forms a 90-degree angle, then return to start). That’s one rep.
Why it works: This exercise also strengthens your glutes, stretches your hamstrings, and doesn’t create much pressure on your knees, says Stacy Sims, Ph.D., exercise physiologist and author of Roar: How to Match Your Food and Fitness.
Romanian Deadlift
How to: Holding a kettlebell or (two dumbbells) in your hands, stand with your feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent. Position the kettlebell in front of your thighs, palms facing your body. Keeping your knees slightly bent, press your hips back as you bend at the waist and lower the weights toward the floor. Squeeze your glutes to return to standing. That’s one rep.
Why it works: By keeping your legs fairly straight throughout this movement, you lessen pressure on your knees and work your glutes, says Sims.
Staggered Stance Deadlift
How to: Hold a kettlebell in front of your thighs with both palms facing toward your body. Stagger your legs, stepping your right foot back and your left foot forward. Your right heel should be off the ground. Push your hips back as you hinge forward, lowering the kettlebell while keeping it close to your legs. Once your hips reach 90 degrees, return to start. That’s one rep.
Why it works: This squat alternative protects your knees and doesn’t require too much bend, while firing up your glutes and hamstrings, says Cosgrove.
Good Morning
How to: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, with a resistance band under your feet and wrapped around the back of your neck. Keeping your knees slightly bent and your torso straight, slowly bend from your hips until your upper body is parallel to the floor. Hold for five seconds and return to start. That’s one rep.
Why it works: The good morning exercise doesn't require much knee bending, but helps you practice proper hip hinging form, says Cosgrove.
Glute Bridge
How to: Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet on the floor 12 to 16 inches from your butt. Brace your core, then press into your heels and squeeze your glutes to raise your hips toward the ceiling. Hold the position for two seconds before lowering to start. That’s one rep.
Why it works: Glute bridges target your butt and and hips without placing any bodyweight on your knees, according to Sims.
Single Leg Glute Bridge
How to: Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet on the floor 12 to 16 inches from your butt. Brace your core, then press into your heels and squeeze your glutes to raise your hips toward the ceiling. Hold the position for two seconds before lowering to start. That’s one rep.
Why it works: This variation of a glute bridge offers even more hamstring activation while being easy on your knees, says Cosgrove.
Reverse Lunge
How to: Stand with your feet hip-width apart, and hold a kettlebell in front of your chest. Step back with your right leg and bend both knees as you lower until your left knee is bent 90 degrees. Push through your left foot to stand, then repeat on the other side. That’s one rep.
Why it works: Lunges mimic the movement of a squat, but reduce pressure on your knees, says Cosgrove.
Banded Hip Drive
How to: Wrap one end of resistance band around an anchor, and the other around your hips. Place your knees about shoulder-width apart with your feet together. Your feet and knees should form a triangle. Begin by sitting on your feet and then lift your body up and out, extending your hips. Squeeze your glutes together at the end range of movement, while avoiding hyperextending the low back.
Why it works: This squat alternative activates your hips and glutes and creates a powerful hip drive that can improve squat form, says Sims.
Donkey Kicks
How to: Get on all fours on top of your mat. Keep your right knee bent at 90 degrees as you lift your leg into the air until your body forms a straight line from shoulders to knee, your right toe kicking toward the ceiling. Reverse the movement to return to start. That’s one rep.
Why it works: Donkey kicks take all the weight off your knees, and fire up your glutes and hamstrings, says Cosgrove.
What the Heck Is VO2 Max? And Can You Improve Yours as You Get Older?
5 Simple Half Marathon Training Tips
When Marathon Training Gets Really Hard
Make Long Runs Easier With 2 Simple Fixes
