Leg training never took a backseat for bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler. Despite stepping away from the sport, he still trains seven days a week. On April 13, 2026, he broke down three important hack squat tips to grow bigger quads.
Cutler held on to an underdog mentality for most of his career. In 2006, he dethroned Ronnie Coleman at the Mr. Olympia after placing second four times. Before getting the chance to string together a dynasty, Cutler’s time on top was cut short by Dexter Jackson.
“The Blade” out-muscled him on the 2009 Mr. Olympia stage. The defeat lit a fire under Cutler, who returned a year later with an all-time best package. He solidified his legacy in the Men’s Open class, showcasing his timeless quad stomp pose. While it’s been years since he competed, the four-time Mr. Olympia remains in tremendous shape. At 52 years old, he is still offering fans tips grounded in experience.
Jay Cutler’s 3 Important Hack Squat Tips for Bigger Quads
In the YouTube video, Cutler offered his three practical tips on the hack squat machine.
- Foot Placement
- Tempo
- Depth
First, Cutler shared that a lower foot placement is key and will help keep the hamstrings from taking over the movement.
“Three important tips that you need to pay attention to. Number one: Your foot placement. Usually, I prefer a little lower on the platform instead of higher. You don’t want to take too much of the hamstrings into play, although you’re going to get some in there.”
Tempo, or rep cadence, also factors into quad growth. Cutler recommended exploding out from the bottom of each repetition.
“Number two: Your tempo. You have to go through the repetitions at a steady speed, okay, remember, explosive out of the bottom.”
His third tip was to focus on depth, though he warned that it could vary based on body mechanics.
“Lastly, do not forget about the depth that you go. I always say ass to grass is very, very important for this exercise, but use your own depth and be smart about it,” Jay Cutler shared.
This wasn’t Jay Cutler’s first time advocating for the hack squat machine. He credited the exercise as key to building his quad sweeps. He also explained how he used the hack squat to bring out leg striations and sharper conditioning.
Even today, Cutler still boasts Pro-level legs in retirement. He believes foot placement, tempo, and depth are critical factors when growing the quads on the hack squat machine.
