Gorilla squat
The gorilla squat is a versatile and effective bodyweight exercise that can be used to target the muscles of the lower body. It combines two reverse lunges with a bodyweight squat and can be easily adapted to include weights, such as dumbbells or kettlebells, to increase the intensity.
This exercise is ideal for building strength, power, and stability, and can be used as part of any lower-body workout. It works the quads, glutes, and hamstrings, and can be done for time or reps, depending on your goals.
By performing the gorilla squat regularly, you can increase your strength and power, while also improving your stability and balance. It's a great way to challenge yourself and add variety to your workout routine. Plus, it doesn't require any equipment, so you can do it at home or in the gym.
If you're looking for an effective and challenging bodyweight exercise to add to your routine, the gorilla squat is a great option. It can be used to target all the muscles of your lower body and can be adapted to suit your individual goals. Try it today and see what it can do for your fitness!
Type:
Plyometrics
Muscles Used:
Quadriceps
Level:
Intermediate
Equipment:
Body Only
Benefits Of This Exercise
- The gorilla squat is a great way to challenge yourself and add variety to your workout routine.
- This exercise builds muscular strength and endurance in the hamstrings, glutes, and quads, while also working core strength to maintain balance and a neutral spine.
- The gorilla squat is a great dynamic warm-up before strength training, and can be used as a component of a fat-loss or conditioning circuit workout.
- It can be adapted to include weights, such as dumbbells or kettlebells, to increase the intensity, making it ideal for any lower-body workout.
- Plus, it doesn't require any equipment, so you can do it at home or in the gym.
Step by Step Instructions For Gorilla squat
- Begin in a standing position with your chest up and your feet hip-width apart. This will be your starting position.
- Jump into a lunge position, bringing one foot forward and one foot back, bending both knees to 90 degrees. Ensure that the front knee is over the midline of the foot and the back knee is nearly touching the ground.
- Extend through both legs, jumping as high as possible. As you jump up, switch positions of your legs, moving your front foot to the back, and your rear leg to the front. As you land, absorb the impact through the legs by adopting the lunge position.
- Once again, extend through both legs, jumping as high as possible, but this time you’re going to land with your feet should-width apart in a squat position. This is one repetition.
- Complete for the desired number of repetitions.
Warm Up Tips
- Start by standing with your feet hip-width apart and your chest up.
- Jump into a lunge position, bending both knees to 90 degrees. Make sure your front knee is over the midline of your foot and your back knee is nearly touching the ground.
- Jump as high as you can and switch the positions of your legs, moving your front foot to the back and your rear leg to the front. Land in a lunge position.
- Jump again, this time landing with your feet shoulder-width apart in a squat position.
- Repeat the exercise for the desired number of repetitions.
Gorilla squat Safety Tips
- Warm up before starting the exercise to prepare your muscles for the movements.
- Ensure that you have enough space around you to perform the exercise safely.
- Keep your chest up and maintain good posture throughout the exercise.
- Start with a light weight or no weight at all before progressing to heavier weights.
- Focus on proper form and technique to avoid injury. Pay attention to the position of your knees and make sure they are aligned with your feet.
- Land softly and absorb the impact by bending your knees when switching positions and landing from the jump.
- Listen to your body and stop if you experience any pain or discomfort.
- Start with a lower number of repetitions and gradually increase as you get stronger and more comfortable with the exercise.
- Keep a steady pace and avoid rushing through the movements.
- If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or injuries, consult with a healthcare professional before attempting this exercise.
Incorporating Into Other Workouts
The gorilla squat can be incorporated into workouts in various ways to target different fitness goals. Here are a few examples:
1. Strength Training: Include the gorilla squat as a compound exercise in your lower-body strength training routine. Perform multiple sets and reps with proper form and focus on increasing the weight or resistance over time to build muscular strength and endurance in the hamstrings, glutes, and quads.
2. Dynamic Warm-up: Start your strength training session with a few sets of gorilla squats to warm up your muscles and prepare them for the upcoming workout. This exercise will help activate the lower body muscles and improve mobility, making it an excellent choice for a dynamic warm-up.
3. Fat Loss or Conditioning Circuit: Incorporate the gorilla squat into a circuit workout to add intensity and challenge. Combine it with other exercises targeting different muscle groups to create a full-body circuit. Perform the gorilla squat for a specific time or number of reps, alternating it with other exercises, to create a high-intensity fat-loss or conditioning workout.
4. Home Workouts: Since the gorilla squat is a bodyweight exercise, it can be done at home without any equipment. Include it in your home workout routine to strengthen your lower body muscles and improve overall fitness. You can perform it as a standalone exercise or combine it with other bodyweight exercises for a full-body workout.
Remember to always maintain proper form and technique while performing the gorilla squat to avoid any injuries and maximize its benefits

