Front squats are a lower-body exercise that targets the quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings, as well as the upper back muscles. The front squat is a compound exercise, meaning that multiple muscles are involved in performing the exercise. Due to the bar position, the erector spinae is also heavily involved in keeping the torso upright throughout the movement. The front squat is a variation of the squat that emphasizes the anterior chain, or the front of the body, to hit the quads and upper back more heavily. In contrast, back squats target the posterior chain, or the back of the body, including the lower back, glutes, and hamstrings, with the quads and core also engaged. Both front squats and back squats offer many of the same benefits, such as gaining strength in the quads, glutes, and hamstrings, which in turn help with attributes like speed and power. However, front squats can be easier on the lower back because the position of the weight doesn’t compress the spine like it would in a back squat.