19/06/2026
V Squat step ups are one of my favourite glute focused exercises 🍑
One of the biggest advantages of doing step ups on the V Squat machine is the added stability it provides. Because you don’t have to worry as much about balance compared to holding weights on your hands, you can focus on pushing through the working leg, controlling the movement properly and progressively adding more weight over time.
This variation is also great for targeting the glutes. By placing the foot high on the platform and creating roughly a 90degree angle at the knee, we can place more emphasis on the glutes and less emphasis on the quads compared to a traditional step up.
Another thing to notice is that the back foot only lightly taps the floor before driving straight back up. Instead of fully resting between reps, the glute has to stay engaged and continue producing force throughout the set, making it work even harder.
A common mistake I see is people pushing off the back leg to help themselves up. Try to keep the assistance from the back leg to a minimum and focus on driving through the heel of the working leg to get the most out of the exercise. 🔥
