Hack Squats: Helpful Tool or Overrated Machine?

Hack squats look like a solid strength-builder, but are they actually useful for powerlifter or just another flashy machine with limited carryover?

August 07, 2025

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The hack squat machine gets a lot of love in commercial gyms, and for good reason. It allows for heavy, controlled lower-body training without needing a spotter. But when it comes to powerlifting, the question isn't “Can I load it up?” It’s “Does this make my squat or deadlift stronger?”

Hack squats remove a lot of the demands on your stabilizers and posterior chain. That makes them a poor substitute for barbell work, especially if you're trying to improve your competition lifts.

They don't train bracing, bar path control, or balance. All critical skills under the bar.

That said, hack squats do have a place. Used smartly, they can add quad volume with minimal systemic fatigue. If you have trouble hitting depth or keeping your knees tracking well in the squat, the hack squat can reinforce good patterns. Just don’t mistake it for a main movement.

Use them as an accessory, not a crutch. They’re not magic, but they’re not useless either. Like most machines, it’s all in how you program them.

Need more? Check out the powerlifting app for specific programs.

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