Exercise guide · Beginner · Compound

Band Squat Row: How to Do It & Muscles Worked

The band squat row is a compound exercise that targets the glutes while also engaging the hamstrings, quadriceps, and back. It combines a squat with a rowing motion using a resistance band, making it effective for both lower and upper body strength.

Primary muscles
Glutes
Secondary muscles
Quads , Hamstrings , Lats
Equipment
Band
Level · type
Beginner · Compound
Demonstration of the band squat row
Front view: muscles worked by the band squat row. Primary: glutes. Secondary: quads, hamstrings and lats.
Back view: muscles worked by the band squat row. Primary: glutes. Secondary: quads, hamstrings and lats.
Primary Secondary

How to do the band squat row

  1. Step 1: Attach the band to a sturdy anchor point at waist height.
  2. Step 2: Stand facing the anchor point with your feet shoulder-width apart.
  3. Step 3: Hold the band handles with your palms facing each other and your arms extended in front of you.
  4. Step 4: Bend your knees and lower into a squat position, keeping your back straight and chest lifted.
  5. Step 5: From the squat position, pull the band handles towards your body, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
  6. Step 6: Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly release the tension and return to the starting position.
  7. Step 7: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Sets, reps and programming

Suggested sets, reps and rest for the band squat row by training goal
Goal Sets Reps Rest Effort
Strength 3–5 3–6 3–5 min 1–3 reps in reserve
Muscle growth 3–4 6–12 2–3 min 1–2 reps in reserve
Muscular endurance 2–3 12–20 1–2 min 1–3 reps in reserve

Ranges follow the ACSM position stand on progression in resistance training. Muscle grows across a wide range of loads when sets end close to failure (Schoenfeld et al., 2017), longer rests between heavy sets support strength and size (Schoenfeld et al., 2016), and stopping a rep or two short of failure works about as well as training to failure (Grgic et al., 2022). Estimate your working weights with the strength calculators.

Band Squat Row alternatives

More exercises that train the glutes as their main target:

More glutes exercises

See the best glute exercises, ranked →

Sources

  1. American College of Sports Medicine. Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009;41(3):687-708.
  2. Schoenfeld BJ, Grgic J, Ogborn D, Krieger JW. Strength and hypertrophy adaptations between low- vs. high-load resistance training. J Strength Cond Res. 2017;31(12):3508-3523.
  3. Schoenfeld BJ, Pope ZK, Benik FM, et al. Longer interset rest periods enhance muscle strength and hypertrophy in resistance-trained men. J Strength Cond Res. 2016;30(7):1805-1812.
  4. Grgic J, Schoenfeld BJ, Orazem J, Sabol F. Effects of resistance training performed to repetition failure or non-failure on muscular strength and hypertrophy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sport Health Sci. 2022;11(2):202-211.

Step-by-step instructions and demonstration media are from the ExerciseDB exercise dataset.

This guide is general fitness information, not medical advice. Stop if an exercise causes pain and speak to a doctor or physiotherapist about injuries or health conditions before starting a new programme.