TETSUBasic Toe Touch vs Smith Squat
The Basic Toe Touch and the Smith Squat both train the glutes as their primary muscle. The Basic Toe Touch is bodyweight-only while the Smith Squat uses a smith machine. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.
Side-by-side comparison
| Basic Toe Touch | Smith Squat | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary muscle | glutes | glutes |
| Body part | upper legs | upper legs |
| Supporting muscles | hamstrings and calves | quadriceps, hamstrings and calves |
| Equipment | bodyweight | smith machine |
| Steps in our guide | 5 | 9 |
How each one starts
Basic Toe Touch — first steps
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms by your sides.
- Bend forward at the waist, keeping your back straight and your knees slightly bent.
Smith Squat — first steps
- Set up the smith machine with the barbell at an appropriate height for your squat.
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned out.
Full step-by-step guides are linked below.
Which should you choose?
The Basic Toe Touch needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps. The Smith Squat fixes the bar path so you can push close to failure with less balance demand. If your gym has both options, neither is a wrong choice: pick the one that feels strongest through a full range, and swap after 6 to 8 weeks to keep the glutes adapting.
Full form guides
Common questions
Is the Basic Toe Touch better than the Smith Squat?
Neither is universally better — both train the glutes as the primary mover. The Basic Toe Touch needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps, while the Smith Squat fixes the bar path so you can push close to failure with less balance demand. Choose based on your equipment and which movement you can progress consistently.
Can I do both the Basic Toe Touch and the Smith Squat in the same program?
Yes, but usually not in the same session — they overlap heavily on the glutes. A common setup is one as your main movement and the other on a second training day, or alternating them block by block.
Do the Basic Toe Touch and the Smith Squat work the same muscles?
The primary muscle is the same: the glutes. Supporting muscles differ slightly — hamstrings and calves for the Basic Toe Touch versus quadriceps, hamstrings and calves for the Smith Squat.
Track it in Tetsu
Tetsu tracks both movements separately, keeps your PRs per exercise, and tells you which one is actually progressing. Free to start.