Pendulum Squat. What Is It?

Last Updated on June 30, 2025 by grubdunkman

When you work out to develop your lower body muscles such as quads, hamstrings and glutes, the most common approach is to perform squats with a barbell. Since this exercise has its downsides, and also to add the variety to training, alternative exercises can be performed. Some of them are leg press, hack squat, and pendulum squat. Each of these exercises require specialized equipment.

What Are The Benefits of Pendulum Squat?

This exercise provide a number of benefits as compared to the regular squats with a barbell, let’s see what they are. Similar to other machines you see in the gym, pendulum squat machine limits the range of motion, so that stability and control are not required. The load moves in the controlled path vertically following a curve. This lets you increase the weight you lift and focus on the major muscles. Controlled path also lets you maintain the form easier.

This controlled path provides you an important advantage, that many intermediate and advanced athletes are looking for to achieve faster muscle growth. The pendulum squat lets you squat deep and have a really deep stretch in your quads, you can see what athletes say here.

Pendulum Squat Machine Availability

Unfortunately the pendulum squat machine is not available in every gym, so in order to use it you will have to search for a gym that has one. We sell these machine at our store, you may want to check our lower body machines category. However it is large, heavy and relatively expensive machine, so its not the most common thing to have at the home gym.

Safety and Support

Additionally to the controlled path, the pendulum squat machine also features pads that support your back and shoulders making exercises safe and comfortable. Another safety feature is a spotter arm that securely locks the machine in place, while the adjustable rubber stops limit downward motion, so that the load stops in a safe way letting the athlete exit in case if load is too heavy.