Sissy Squat

Sissy Squat should feel stable through the mid‑foot with the knee tracking the toes. Keep the torso braced and avoid collapsing inward at the knee. A controlled descent builds strength and keeps the joints comfortable as you increase depth or load.

Use a smooth tempo—2–3 seconds down, brief pause, then drive up. This keeps tension on the quads and glutes and reduces bouncing. If mobility limits depth, shorten the range temporarily and build it back with consistent practice.

For size, 3–5 sets of 8–15 reps works well depending on the movement. For strength, lower the reps to 5–8 and increase rest. Single‑leg work benefits from slightly higher reps to keep balance and control.

If you feel the lower back more than the legs, reduce load and focus on a stacked rib‑to‑pelvis position. Adjust foot placement to change emphasis—higher for glutes/hamstrings, lower for quads. Keep pressure through the whole foot, not just the toes.

Pair Sissy Squat with a hinge pattern (RDL, good morning) and a calf movement to cover the whole lower body. Weekly volume of 12–20 quality sets for legs is a common target, adjusted for recovery and soreness.

When fatigue builds, prioritize clean reps and depth consistency over heavier load. Small progressions—one extra rep or a slight load increase—compound over weeks and keep the knees and hips happy.

Brace hard before each rep and keep the spine neutral. A strong brace lets you drive through the legs instead of compensating with the lower back.

Stance width changes emphasis: narrower tends to load quads more, wider brings in adductors and glutes. Test small changes and keep the stance that gives you the best control and comfort.

For unilateral work, keep the pelvis level and avoid pushing off the back leg. If balance is the limiter, use a light support so the target leg does the work.

Track progress by adding reps first, then load. This keeps joints happy and makes technique improvements easier to notice week to week.

Structure leg training so quads and hamstrings each get direct work. A simple setup is one squat‑pattern, one hinge‑pattern, and one single‑leg movement per session. Keep total weekly volume around 12–20 hard sets and adjust based on soreness.

When fatigue is high, shorten the range slightly and focus on perfect reps. That keeps joints comfortable and preserves movement quality. On lower‑fatigue days, push the range and add a small load increase.

If knee discomfort appears, check foot pressure and knee tracking first. A small change in stance or a heel wedge often solves it. Avoid bouncing at the bottom; controlled depth is safer and more effective.

Focus on controlled depth and even foot pressure. If the heels lift or knees cave, reduce load and fix the pattern before adding weight again.