A shrimp squat is a single-leg squat variation that leverages your bodyweight to build lower-body strength. Shrimp squats are one of the best leg exercises for building leg strength and lower-body mobility. In addition, they help prepare the body for advanced strength-training exercises such as deadlifts. Once you've mastered shrimp squats, consider practicing other squat variations such as [Bulgarian split squats](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bulgarian-split-squat-exercise-guide), dumbbell squats, or goblet squats.

There are several benefits to incorporating shrimp squats into your workout routine.

1. __Shrimp squats are a convenient home workout__. Whether you practice your workout routine at the gym or at home, shrimp squats are easy to incorporate because they do not require any special equipment. 
2. __Shrimp squats are an effective lower-body exercise__. When performed properly, shrimp squats activate your glutes, hamstrings, calves, and quads. The range of motion used during this single-leg bodyweight exercise also stretches your hip flexors and ankles, helping improve your hip mobility and ankle mobility. 
3. __Shrimp squats are a versatile exercise__. If you're looking to increase the challenge level of the shrimp squat, consider placing your hand behind your head, instead of out in front of you. This will remove the counterbalance and intensify the workout. You can also intensify the workout by holding a light weight in your free hand as you perform the exercise.
Both shrimp squats and [pistol squats](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pistol-squat-guide) are bodyweight squat exercises that target similar muscle groups. However, there are a couple of key differences between them. 

- __Range of motion__: The pistol squat is a full-body squat that brings your body considerably lower to the ground than a shrimp squat. Shrimp squats, on the other hand, lower your body about the same distance as a lunge.
- __Difficulty level__: Though both exercises offer a powerful leg workout, the deeper range of motion used in pistol squats makes them considerably more challenging.
For shrimp squats, begin by performing 2–3 sets of 5–10 repetitions on each side. Choose your sets and repetitions based on your ability to maintain good technique throughout.

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and a slight bend in your knees. Your shoulders should be directly over your hips with a neutral head and neck position. Your chin should remain tucked throughout the movement, as if you were holding an egg under your chin.
2. Evenly distribute your weight and grip the floor with your feet to create a stable position.
3. Place your arms by your sides and pre-tension your shoulders and hips. Engage your core. Your ribs should be down and your pelvis should be slightly tucked.
4. Kick your leg behind you and grab the top of your foot as if you were performing a quadriceps stretch. Your knees should be next to each other.
5. Reach your opposite arm forward and make a fist to create tension in your upper body. All repetitions should begin from this starting position.
6. Begin the downward movement by slowly bending the hip, knee, and ankle of your standing leg. Keep your arm extended as you lower to the bottom position. Maintain a neutral spine and lower only as far as you can control your pelvis position.
7. At the bottom of the movement, your shoulders should finish slightly ahead of your hips. The weight on your foot should be evenly distributed. Pause briefly at the bottom position.
8. Begin the upward movement by pushing your foot into the ground to initiate standing up. As you begin to stand up, keep your chest high, squeeze your glute, and allow your knee to straighten and your hip to travel forward.
9. As you finish the movement, squeeze your glute and quadricep while maintaining a neutral spine. At the end of each repetition, your shoulders should finish directly over your hips.  
10. Repeat the shrimp squat for your desired number of repetitions before switching sides.
If you have a previous or pre-existing health condition, consult your physician before beginning an exercise program. Proper exercise technique is essential to ensure the safety and effectiveness of an exercise program, but you may need to modify each exercise to attain optimal results based on your individual needs. Always select a weight that allows you to have full control of your body throughout the movement. When performing any exercise, pay close attention to your body, and stop immediately if you note pain or discomfort.

To see continual progress and build body strength, incorporate proper warm-ups, rest, and nutrition into your exercise program. Your results will ultimately be based on your ability to adequately recover from your workouts. Rest for 24 to 48 hours before training the same muscle groups to allow sufficient recovery.
Throw on some athleisure, fire up a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com), and get ready to sweat it out with exclusive instructional videos from Nike Master Trainer and *GQ* fitness specialist Joe Holder. Want to improve your cardiovascular endurance? Give Joe’s HIIT workout a go. Trying to get a little swole? He’s got a strength training workout for that. From fitness tips to nutrition hacks, Joe will have you feeling healthier in no time.
If you’re looking for a powerful leg exercise to add to your home workout routine, try shrimp squats.


If you’re looking for a powerful leg exercise to add to your home workout routine, try shrimp squats.


Shrimp Squat Exercise: How to Master Shrimp Squats

A shrimp squat is a single-leg squat variation that leverages your bodyweight to build lower-body strength. Shrimp squats are one of the best leg exercises for building leg strength and lower-body mobility. In addition, they help prepare the body for advanced strength-training exercises such as deadlifts. Once you&#39;ve mastered shrimp squats, consider practicing other squat variations such as <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bulgarian-split-squat-exercise-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bulgarian-split-squat-exercise-guide","linkCopy":"Bulgarian split squats","category":null}'>Bulgarian split squats</a>, dumbbell squats, or goblet squats.

What Is a Shrimp Squat? 

There are several benefits to incorporating shrimp squats into your workout routine.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Shrimp squats are a convenient home workout. Whether you practice your workout routine at the gym or at home, shrimp squats are easy to incorporate because they do not require any special equipment. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Shrimp squats are an effective lower-body exercise. When performed properly, shrimp squats activate your glutes, hamstrings, calves, and quads. The range of motion used during this single-leg bodyweight exercise also stretches your hip flexors and ankles, helping improve your hip mobility and ankle mobility. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Shrimp squats are a versatile exercise. If you&#39;re looking to increase the challenge level of the shrimp squat, consider placing your hand behind your head, instead of out in front of you. This will remove the counterbalance and intensify the workout. You can also intensify the workout by holding a light weight in your free hand as you perform the exercise. </li></ol>

3 Benefits of Doing Shrimp Squats 

Both shrimp squats and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pistol-squat-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pistol-squat-guide","linkCopy":"pistol squats","category":null}'>pistol squats</a> are bodyweight squat exercises that target similar muscle groups. However, there are a couple of key differences between them. <ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Range of motion: The pistol squat is a full-body squat that brings your body considerably lower to the ground than a shrimp squat. Shrimp squats, on the other hand, lower your body about the same distance as a lunge. </li><li class="">Difficulty level: Though both exercises offer a powerful leg workout, the deeper range of motion used in pistol squats makes them considerably more challenging. </li></ul>

Shrimp Squats vs. Pistol Squats: What’s the Difference? 

For shrimp squats, begin by performing 2–3 sets of 5–10 repetitions on each side. Choose your sets and repetitions based on your ability to maintain good technique throughout.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and a slight bend in your knees. Your shoulders should be directly over your hips with a neutral head and neck position. Your chin should remain tucked throughout the movement, as if you were holding an egg under your chin. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Evenly distribute your weight and grip the floor with your feet to create a stable position. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Place your arms by your sides and pre-tension your shoulders and hips. Engage your core. Your ribs should be down and your pelvis should be slightly tucked. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Kick your leg behind you and grab the top of your foot as if you were performing a quadriceps stretch. Your knees should be next to each other. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Reach your opposite arm forward and make a fist to create tension in your upper body. All repetitions should begin from this starting position. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Begin the downward movement by slowly bending the hip, knee, and ankle of your standing leg. Keep your arm extended as you lower to the bottom position. Maintain a neutral spine and lower only as far as you can control your pelvis position. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 7. At the bottom of the movement, your shoulders should finish slightly ahead of your hips. The weight on your foot should be evenly distributed. Pause briefly at the bottom position. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 8. Begin the upward movement by pushing your foot into the ground to initiate standing up. As you begin to stand up, keep your chest high, squeeze your glute, and allow your knee to straighten and your hip to travel forward. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 9. As you finish the movement, squeeze your glute and quadricep while maintaining a neutral spine. At the end of each repetition, your shoulders should finish directly over your hips. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 10. Repeat the shrimp squat for your desired number of repetitions before switching sides. </li></ol>

How to Do Shrimp Squats With Proper Form 

If you have a previous or pre-existing health condition, consult your physician before beginning an exercise program. Proper exercise technique is essential to ensure the safety and effectiveness of an exercise program, but you may need to modify each exercise to attain optimal results based on your individual needs. Always select a weight that allows you to have full control of your body throughout the movement. When performing any exercise, pay close attention to your body, and stop immediately if you note pain or discomfort.To see continual progress and build body strength, incorporate proper warm-ups, rest, and nutrition into your exercise program. Your results will ultimately be based on your ability to adequately recover from your workouts. Rest for 24 to 48 hours before training the same muscle groups to allow sufficient recovery.

How to Work Out Safely and Avoid Injury

Throw on some athleisure, fire up a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>, and get ready to sweat it out with exclusive instructional videos from Nike Master Trainer and GQ fitness specialist Joe Holder. Want to improve your cardiovascular endurance? Give Joe’s HIIT workout a go. Trying to get a little swole? He’s got a strength training workout for that. From fitness tips to nutrition hacks, Joe will have you feeling healthier in no time.

Want to Dive Deeper Into Your Wellness Journey?

If you’re looking for a powerful leg exercise to add to your home workout routine, try shrimp squats.