What is a good rep range for squats?

Author: Penelope Schmeler III  |  Last update: Wednesday, January 28, 2026

By far the most common wisdom dispensed to newbie lifters is the “3x10” rule. This holds that regardless of whether you're trying to build muscle, strength, power, or endurance, performing three sets of 10 reps per exercise is a good place to start.

What are the best rep ranges for squats?

To build muscle mass (hypertrophy) with squats, a common recommendation is to perform 6 to 12 repetitions per set. Here are some guidelines to consider: Repetition Range: Aim for 6-12 reps per set. This range is generally effective for hypertrophy. Sets: Perform 3 to 5 sets per exercise.

What is the 5 4 3 2 1 squat program?

The 5-4-3-2-1 program is a program that aims to take advantage of periodizing training frequency by training one lift five times per week, one lift four times per week, one lift three times per week, one lift twice per week and one lift once per week.

What is a good rep weight for squats?

When adding weight to your squats, a common guideline is to increase the load in small increments, typically between 2.5 to 5 pounds (1.13 to 2.27 kg) for upper body exercises and 5 to 10 pounds (2.27 to 4.54 kg) for lower body exercises, including squats. Factors to Consider:

Should squats be high reps or low reps?

If you want to get stronger or set a new PR, consider adding more low-rep, high-weight training to your routine. “A rep range of 1-6 is optimal for building strength in compound movements like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses.”

High vs Low Reps (Science-Based)

Is 20 squats a day good?

For beginners, doing 20 squats a day can be a great way to start building strength and endurance. However, if you are looking to see more significant results, you will need to gradually increase the number of squats you do over time.

Do high rep squats build mass?

Muscle Growth: High rep squats are excellent for hypertrophy. The increased time under tension stimulates muscle growth, helping you build stronger, more resilient legs. Technique Improvement: Performing multiple reps forces you to stay focused on your form throughout the set.

How rare is a 405 squat?

Only 1 Out Of 50 People Go To The Gym, So 0.00012% Of The World's Population Can Squat 405lbs… That's 3 Out Of Every 25,000 People.” #LegDay #Squats #Weightlifting #StrengthTraining #Exercise #Outlier #JoeRogan #Discipline #Consistency #SuccessHabits 🗓️ #CompoundEffect 📈 #SRTF.

Why are my squats so weak?

You're Working Out With Poor Squat Techniques

Often, the issue is related to improper techniques, such as incorrect depth, alignment, or grip strength, causing inefficient force transfer. Muscle imbalance, where one muscle group overpowers the other, also leads to a feeling of weakness.

Is squatting 2x bodyweight good?

Back Squat Goals for Every Fitness Level

Taking training age and your current body weight into consideration, Samuel recommends the following goals: Beginners (0 to 1 years in the gym): Your bodyweight. Intermediate (1 to 3 years): 1.25 to 1.5 times your bodyweight. Advanced (3+ years): 1.75 to twice your bodyweight.

Is 3 sets of 8 squats enough?

You can still build muscle with 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps — provided you train close to failure and progressively overload. But it isn't the most optimal, instead: Choose your rep range based on the exercise — the larger and more the muscles involved, the lesser the reps. Even then, don't venture below 3 reps or above 30.

Why squat 5x5?

You do three workouts a week, with at least one rest day in between. Your goal is to increase the weight on the bar over time. The 5×5 workout has been popular for decades because it's simple, time-efficient, and very effective for building strength and muscle mass as a drug-free lifter.

What is the 54321 routine?

What is the 54321 method? The 54321 (or 5-4-3-2-1) method is a grounding exercise designed to manage acute stress and reduce anxiety. It involves identifying 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.

Is 20 reps good for squats?

Dubious claims aside, 20-rep breathing squats are undoubtedly a time-tested method for breaking through lower-body strength plateaus, building mental grit and seriously spicing up your leg day.

What is the proper squat range?

Requirements of a Squat

When discussing good squat depth, the standard measurement is getting the thighs below parallel or the hip crease past the knee joint. This term originally came about in the sport of powerlifting. Since then, this term has grown to become the standard for all lifters.

Do squats work abs?

Yes, squats are great for working the abs. They engage your core muscles, including the abs, by requiring them to stabilize your body throughout the movement. This engagement not only helps build core strength but also improves overall stability.

What helps squats more?

How to improve your squat form
  • Start from a strong squatting position. ...
  • Squat with assistance to start. ...
  • Engage your core. ...
  • Keep your chest tall. ...
  • Drive your knees out. ...
  • Take your squats up a notch. ...
  • Improve your ankle mobility. ...
  • Improve hip mobility for better squatting.

Is a low bar or high bar squat better?

As mentioned above, beginners want to perform squats using a high bar position until strength and mobility improve. Athletes can benefit from an even high bar vs. low bar split, while strength athletes benefit most from low bar position.

Do squats get easier the more you do them?

Doing them regularly can build lots of strength, and you'll notice everyday tasks are easier, whether it's squatting down to pick something up off the floor, sitting down in a chair, or reaching for something on the bottom shelf at the grocery store.

What is a respectable squat?

A great benchmark in terms of the body weight ratio for squatting for men is around 1.5 to 2 times their own body weight. For females, the target range is anywhere between one and 1.5 times the body weight. Again, fitness goals, age, experience level, and more can all influence this.

What's the highest squat ever recorded?

Which also means that the bear, the piano and the seminal sports car could all be successfully squatted by Brian Carroll, the retired powerlifter, author and spine health consultant, who holds the record for the heaviest squat of all time at an incredible 1,306lbs.

How impressive is a 500 lb squat?

Squatting 500 lbs is a milestone many lifters aspire to reach. While it may seem daunting, with the right approach and understanding, it's a goal that can be achieved. Here's a breakdown of what it takes to reach this impressive squatting milestone.

Is it better to squat more reps or more weight?

The reality is that while squatting heavy will definitely make you stronger, it is also more likely to make you sore and leave you feeling beaten up — especially in the joints. Higher rep squats not only build strength in the muscles, but also in the tendons, ligaments, and joints overall.

Should I lift heavy or light to gain muscle?

They sometimes think they can't train hard anymore, but if they just go lighter and do more reps, they can build muscle too.” Bottom line: “It's the effort you put in that matters most,” Hyson says. “Lifting heavier builds more strength, but lifting to failure with any weight can build bigger, more aesthetic muscles.”

How many reps of squats would Tom Platz do?

Tom Platz, who is known for his radical approach to training, as well as his leg development as a top level bodybuilder. It's been reported that he would perform sets up to 50 reps (and even beyond).

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