High bar and low bar squat

A high bar squat is a back squat where the bar is placed high on the trapezius muscle across the top of the shoulders. The feet are shoulder-width apart with toes pointed slightly outward.

To stay balanced during the squat movement, the bar must stay over the midfoot. When you place the bar high on the back, it demands a more upright torso position and forward movement of the knees to descend properly into a squat position.

A low bar squat is a squat in which the bar is placed low on the upper back in the back squat position. It should be resting on the posterior deltoid, not the top of the shoulders. The feet are also shoulder-width apart and turned slightly out for this move.

In this squat position, to stay balanced and keep a straight bar path over the midfoot, you must immediately bend slightly at the hips. This causes a more forward lean with the torso during the movement to prevent falling backward.