Which description correctly describes the grip for Front Squat?

• A. Hands just outside shoulders.
• B. Loose, fingertip grip on the bar.
• C. Elbows high.
• D. Hips descend back and down.

Answer: (D)

For Front Squat, the key idea is creating a stable front rack so the bar sits securely on the shoulders without tipping forward. The most practical description of the grip here is keeping the elbows high. Elevating the elbows helps create a shelf under the bar and keeps the upper back tight, which in turn helps you maintain an upright torso and a balanced position as you squat.

The hands play a supporting role in the front rack, but the critical factor for grip prominence is the elbow position. A loose fingertip grip would not stabilize the bar effectively, and a grip described as hands just outside the shoulders refers more to width than to how the bar is supported. Describing the descent of the hips speaks to the movement pattern of the squat itself, not how the grip is set up to hold the bar. So, elbows high best captures how the grip is used to stabilize the bar in a Front Squat.