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Sandbag Squat Thruster

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A compound functional movement combining a front squat and overhead press with a sandbag, targeting the quads, glutes, and shoulders to build full-body power and conditioning.

About Exercise

Equipment

Others

Difficulty

4/5 • Advanced

Primary Muscle Groups

Quads, Glutes, Shoulders, Abs

Secondary Muscles

Lats, Traps, Biceps, Forearms, Calves

Popularity Score

5

Goals

Strength
Power
Conditioning

Training Style

CrossFit
Functional Training

Setup Requirements

Requires Rack

No

Requires Bench

No

Requires Spotter

No

Space Needed

Medium

Noise Level

Moderate

Muscle Breakdown

Quads

9/10

Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Vastus Medialis

Glutes

8/10

Glute Max

Shoulders

8/10

Anterior Delts

Abs

8/10

Rectus Abdominis, Transverse Abdominis

Hamstrings

7/10

Biceps Femoris

Triceps

7/10

Lateral Head

Obliques

6/10

External Obliques

Lower Back

6/10

Erector Spinae

Lats

5/10

Traps

4/10

Upper Traps

Biceps

4/10

Forearms

3/10

Calves

3/10
Programming

Typical Rep Range

6-12 reps

Rest Between Sets

60-120 seconds

How to Perform

Clean the sandbag to a front rack position, holding it across the chest/shoulders with elbows high and feet shoulder-width apart.

  1. Brace your core and squat down until thighs are parallel to the floor.
  2. Keep your chest up and elbows high to prevent the bag from dropping.
  3. Drive explosively through your heels to return to a standing position.
  4. Use the upward momentum from the hips to press the sandbag directly overhead.
  5. Lock out arms fully at the top with head pushed slightly forward.
  6. Lower the sandbag back to the front rack position under control.
  7. Immediately descend into the next squat repetition.

Coaching Tips

Form Cues

  • Elbows up
  • Explode from hips
  • Head through window
  • Brace core
  • Drive through heels

Breathing

Inhale deeply at the top or during the descent; exhale forcefully as you drive up and press overhead.

Tempo

2-0-1

Range of Motion

Squat depth to at least parallel; full overhead extension with arms locked out at the top.

Safety

Safety Notes

  • Maintain a neutral spine throughout
  • Ensure sandbag is stable before pressing
  • Stop if lower back rounds significantly

Spotting

Not recommended; drop the bag forward if the lift fails.

Common Mistakes

  • Dropping elbows in squat
  • Pressing too early
  • Rounding lower back
  • Incomplete lockout
  • Heels lifting off floor

When to Avoid

  • Acute lower back pain
  • Shoulder impingement
  • Recent wrist injury

Flexibility Needed

  • Full shoulder overhead mobility
  • Adequate ankle dorsiflexion for squat

Build Up First

  • Master basic burpee
  • Proficient sandbag clean
  • Good hip hinge form

Also known as

Sandbag Thruster, Sandbag Squat Press, Sandbag Clean and Press

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