V Squat vs Barbell Wide Squat
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log V Squat more often — 5,025 sessions vs 388. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of V Squat and Barbell Wide Squat and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
V Squat vs Barbell Wide Squat: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log V Squat more often — 5,025 sessions compared to 388 for Barbell Wide Squat.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. V Squat and Barbell Wide Squat differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How V Squat and Barbell Wide Squat Differ
| What differs | V Squat | Barbell Wide Squat |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | quads, hamstrings, and glutes | glutes, hamstrings, and inner thighs |
| Equipment | a machine | a barbell |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 5,025 sessions | 388 sessions |
How to Do V Squat
V Squat Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Tighten your abdomen and keep your waist straight, then bend at the hip to lower your buttocks down.
- 2. Allow your knees to bend naturally until your thighs are vertical to your body.
- 3. Push strongly through the center of your feet to rise up.
- 4. As your buttocks rise, straighten your knees and hips in sequence, and return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to lean your upper body too far forward.
- 2. Keep your chest up and engage your core to avoid bending your waist.
- 3. Don't excessively bend your waist while trying to keep it straight.
- 4. Please do not stick your hips too far back.
- 5. Make sure your feet do not come off the ground.
- 6. When standing up, please ensure your knees do not come together.
For a full V Squat guide with alternatives and benefits, see the V Squat exercise guide.
How to Do Barbell Wide Squat
Barbell Wide Squat Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Tighten your abdomen and keep your waist straight, then bend at the hip to lower your buttocks down.
- 2. Lower yourself until your knees naturally bend and your thighs are parallel to the ground.
- 3. Push strongly through the center of your feet to rise up.
- 4. As your buttocks rise, straighten your knees and hips in sequence, returning to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to lean your upper body too far forward.
- 2. Keep your chest up and engage your core to avoid bending your waist.
- 3. Don't excessively bend your waist while trying to keep it straight.
- 4. Please do not stick your hips too far back.
- 5. Make sure your feet do not come off the ground.
- 6. When standing up, please ensure your knees do not come together.
For a full Barbell Wide Squat guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Barbell Wide Squat exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, V Squat or Barbell Wide Squat?
Planfit users log V Squat more often — 5,025 sessions against 388 for Barbell Wide Squat. Both train Leg, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do V Squat and Barbell Wide Squat work the same muscles?
Not quite. V Squat loads quads, hamstrings, and glutes, and Barbell Wide Squat loads glutes, hamstrings, and inner thighs.
What equipment do V Squat and Barbell Wide Squat need?
V Squat needs a machine, and Barbell Wide Squat needs a barbell.
Which is easier to start with?
V Squat is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Wide Squat once your form holds up.
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