What is the prime mover during the front squat exercise?

In the front squat exercise, the quadriceps serve as the prime mover, primarily responsible for extending the knee joint during the upward phase of the squat. As you descend into the squat, the quadriceps are activated to control the descent and maintain stability, and when you rise back up, they work to extend your knees from the squatted position.

The role of the quadriceps is particularly emphasized in the front squat due to the position of the barbell, which is held in front of the body. This positioning encourages a more upright torso, shifting the load and stress toward the anterior chain, where the quadriceps are heavily engaged. This makes them the key muscle group in generating the force required to lift the weight back to standing.

Other muscle groups, such as the gluteus maximus and hamstrings, certainly contribute during the squat, but they play more of an assisting role in this variation. The calves provide support for ankle stability, yet they do not act as the primary movers in the execution of the front squat.