30-Day Squat Challenge

Squat challenges are a fun way to build an exercise habit or add some variety to your current training. Not every squat program is built for progressive results, but this 30-day squat challenge starts with foundational exercises and adds targeted challenges. This method not only builds muscle but also improves postural alignment, core strength, and functional stability so that it's easier to maintain your hard-earned results.

Begin by reviewing proper squat form. Then read through the tips for making it through all 30 days of the challenge. Finally, consider printing out the schedule or bookmarking this page so you have instructions handy for each day's routine.

Benefits of a Squat Challenge

Squat challenges can be beneficial for creating an exercise habit. Participating in a structured routine for a specific timeframe can help you carve out a time and place for physical activity. While squats alone are not a comprehensive enough training plan, sticking to this excellent compound movement for the duration of the challenge creates a habit you can build on.

Once you have completed a squat challenge, you'll likely feel a sense of accomplishment that will lead to further desire to continue exercising. This is a form of intrinsic motivation, meaning you are motivated internally by your feelings and enjoyment of the activity.This kind of motivation is the key to staying healthy through your lifespan.

Physically, squats are an excellent muscle and strength-building exercise. The primary muscle groups worked with squats are the quadriceps (front of your thighs) and glutes (bum). Squats require several other muscles to activate and brace, including calves, abdominals, and back muscles. They are also a foundational movement for humans since squatting is a primal position that we use daily to sit and stand.

Week 1 of Squat Challenge

During the first week of the squat challenge, you'll focus on perfecting your form. Incorrectly performed squats waste your precious workout time and create misaligned muscle memory that can develop bad habits that are hard to break.

Even if you consider yourself a pro-squatter, you should use this first week to fine-tune your body mechanics to make the most of the more advanced exercises you'll be doing later in the month. If you're an advanced exerciser and want to add a challenge, either double the reps, add weight (dumbbells), or do both.

Day 1 Slow Squats 

1. Count from one to five slowly on the downward phase of the squat and then count to five slowly as you return to the starting position.
2. Focus on perfect form.
3. Repeat 10 times.

Day 2 Barefoot Squats

1. Do slow squats without shoes on. Keep weight evenly distributed throughout your feet and keep toes relaxed.
2. Pay attention to where you feel the weight in your feet.
3. As you move, your toes should never grip, and you should feel strong through your heels.
4. Your weight should be evenly distributed across each foot, so you're not rolling in or out on your arches.
5. Repeat 10 times.

Day 3 Eccentric Squats

1. Count from one to five slowly to lower your body into the squat position.
2. Then return to standing by the time you reach five and repeat.
3. Focus on the eccentric contraction or lowering phase.
4. Repeat 15 times.

Day 4 Concentric Squats

1. Start in a lowered squat position. 
2. Count from one to five slowly to bring your body to a standing position.
3. Then return to your squat position in one count and repeat.
4. Focus on the concentric contraction or lifting phase.
5. Repeat 15 times.

Day 5 Plie squat

1. Start with feet wider than hip-distance apart and toes pointing out (in a "V" position).
2. Lower your hips down and slightly back, then return to the starting position.
3. Repeat 15 times.

Day 6 Narrow squat

1. Place parallel feet closer together so that they are almost touching.
2. Complete 20 squats while maintaining this foot stance. 
3. Repeat 15 times.

Day 7 Rest 

You can use rest days for active recovery such as walking, swimming, biking, hiking, yoga, pilates, or any form of movement you enjoy. You can also work on your mobility and flexibility on these days or do some foam rolling.

Week 2 of Squat Challenge

During week two, you'll add postural changes and balance challenges to your squat workouts. By changing your foot stance or shifting your weight to one side or the other, you will become aware of—and begin to eliminate—muscular imbalances.

The result? A more functionally aligned body and a stronger core.

Day 8 Squat Reach

1. Complete a full squat, but as you finish the lifting phase, reach your arms overhead so that your heels lift off the floor.
2. Engage your core muscles to hold the raised position for one second.
3. Repeat 20 times.

Day 9 Kickback Squat

1. Complete a full squat, but as you complete the lifting phase, transfer your weight to your left leg and extend your right foot back and off the floor as if you are kicking the wall behind you.
2. Repeat 10 times on the right and 10 times on the left.

Day 10 Stair Squat

1. With feet hip-distance apart, place one foot on a stair (or a slightly elevated surface).
2. Complete 10 squat repetitions in this uneven position, then do 10 more with the other foot elevated on the stair. 

Day 11 Weight Shift Squat

1. Start with feet wide. 
2. Shift your weight to the right so that you can take the weight off your left foot (but keep your toes on the ground for balance).
3. Complete 10 squats with weight shifted right, and 10 squats with weight shifted left.

Day 12 Curtsy Squats

1. Pull your right foot behind the left into a curtsy position during the lowering phase of your squat.
2. Repeat on the left—complete 20 squats alternating sides.

Day 13 Single-Leg Squat

1. In a narrow squat stance, lift the right leg off the floor and straight out in front of you.
2. Complete 10 squats using only the left leg.
3. Repeat on the other side.

Day 14 Rest

Again, use this day for active rest. Try a yoga routine, walking workout, or stretching sequence.

Week 3 of Squat Challenge

Now that you've fine-tuned your form and balanced your body, it's time to overload your muscles to build strength. You'll add resistance by holding the squat position longer (isometric contraction) or by adding resistance in the form of weight.

If you don't have weights, use household items, such as a bag of rice, a bag of potatoes, or a sack of oranges.

Day 15 Dumbbell Squat

1. Hold one dumbbell in each hand.
2. Perform weighted squats maintaining good posture.
3. Complete 20 repetitions.

Day 16 Wall Squat

1. Stand with your back to a wall and lower to a squat position keeping the back in contact with the wall.
2. Hold for 30 seconds (beginning level) to 60 seconds (intermediate to advanced).

Day 17 Plié Dumbbell Squat

1. Complete a plié squat holding one dumbbell with both hands centered between your legs.
2. Repeat 20 times.

Day 18 Walking Squats

1. Begin in a lowered squat position.
2. Maintain this lowered stance as you walk forward four steps.
3. Then walk back four steps.
4. Lift to standing and repeat five times.

Day 19 Squat Press

1. Hold one dumbbell in each hand and hold them at shoulder height.
2. Lower down into a squat. As you lift, extend your arms over your head, pressing the weights up.
3. Lower the weights back to shoulder height as you lower back into a squat position.
4. Repeat 10–20 times.

Day 20 Wall Squat with Weights

1. Get into a wall squat position and place a weight on your lap.
2. Hold for 30 seconds (beginning level) to 60 seconds (intermediate to advanced).

Day 21 Rest

Perform your favorite active rest activities such as gardening, walking your dog, dancing, or any of the previous activities you've enjoyed.

Week 4 of Squat Challenge

During week four of the squat challenge, you're going to add plyometric movements (in this case, jumps) to your squats. These jumps build powerful muscles and increase your heart rate, so you work your cardiovascular system effectively.

Day 22 Dumbbell Squat with Lift

1. Complete the dumbbell squat but add a boost at the end of the lifting phase so your heels come off the floor.
2. Repeat 20 times.
3. This movement serves as preparation for the jump.

Day 23 Squat Jump 

1. Complete a squat and add a quick jump at the end of the lifting phase.
2. No weights are used for this variation.
3. Repeat 10–20 times.

Day 24 Knee Tap Squats

1. Complete a squat jump, but during the jump, try to lift your knees high enough so that you can tap them with your hands. 
2. Repeat 10–20 times.

Day 25 Dorothy Squats

1. Complete a squat jump and click your heels together when your legs are in the air.
2. Land in a bent knee squat position.
3. Repeat 10–20 times.

Day 26 Squat Jumps

1. Complete consecutive squat jumps jumping forward, instead of in-place.
2. Complete five to 10 repetitions.
3. Turn around and complete five to 10 more back to your starting location.

Day 27 Box Jumps

1. Complete a forward squat jump to an elevated box or stair.
2. Repeat 10–20 times.

Day 28 Rest

Use your active rest techniques today and spend some time stretching and foam rolling for recovery.

Final Days

Congratulations! You've made it to the last few days of the challenge. You've earned the right to choose your routine over the previous two days. Pick any exercise from the series and complete double the repetitions.

• Day 29: Your choice (times two)
• Day 30: Your choice (times two)

Tips to Get the Best Results

Consistency is key to building a stronger booty. Use these tips to stay committed:

• Do your exercises at the same time every day: Studies have shown that morning exercisers are more consistent, so consider doing your routine shortly after rising. If you choose to do your routine in the afternoon or evening, set an alarm and stick to the plan.
• Don't worry if you don't do the exact exercises prescribed: The program is designed with a specific progression in mind. However, if you forget what you are supposed to do on a given day, it's better to do another squat exercise than nothing at all.
• Add cross-training activities: You'll get the best results from this (or any) challenge if you practice healthy habits all month. If you're new to exercise or if you've been inactive for a while, you don't have to participate in hardcore cardio. You can ease into daily movement by adding a few fun, easy workouts (like bike rides or hikes) into your routine and by setting a step goal to increase non-exercise activity.
• Eat a balanced diet: A healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains will also help maximize the results of your exercises.

Lastly, remember that starting any exercise may result in some muscle soreness, but you should never feel pain. If you're new to exercise or feel pain when you move, talk to your health care provider to get personalized advice.

A Word From Verywell

Now that you've completed the squat challenge, it's wise that you maintain your results—or, better yet, continue to build more strength and muscle. Use the habit-building and motivation you've created by completing this challenge to propel you toward a more thorough exercise routine.

Add some of these exercises to a balanced workout routine that involves cardiovascular exercise, upper and lower body strength training, and a flexibility routine. By incorporating these three essential types of exercise into your weekly schedule, you decrease your risk of injury and reduce the chances that you'll burn out or quit.