How to do a Pistol Squat
Reviewed by JP Michelsen, CPT, B.A. Kinesiology
About Pistol Squat
Target muscles worked
Instructions for Proper Form
Pistol Squat is a challenging bodyweight exercise that targets the quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings. Performing this exercise on one leg requires significant balance, mobility, and strength. It’s a great compound movement for developing lower body strength and control, making it an excellent addition for advanced lifters looking to improve stabilization and unilateral strength.
- Stand in an upright position with your feet hip-width apart.
- Put your weight into your right leg as you elevate your left foot while keeping your knee extended.
- Hinge at your hips and flex your right knee to descend into a squat keeping your arms extended out in front to maintain balance.
- Flex the right knee until your right thigh is parallel with the ground maintaining an elevated left foot.
- Extend your right knee and hip to return back to the starting position.
- Repeat with opposite side.
Sets & Reps Calculator
Average Pistol Squat standards by male, female, gender, weight, age and height
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Alternative Exercises to Pistol Squat
1. Dumbbell Squat
94.1 mSCORESWAPPED 360 TIMESDumbbell Squat is a variation of the more standard Squat. Like other variations, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets the quadriceps. The advantage of using dumbbells rather than a barbell is that you have more freedom in your range of motion which can make this a more accessible variation for anyone with mobility limitations. With that freedom comes a bit more instability with this exercise though, which can help you further improve your squat for, and build the strength needed for heavier, or more complex variations.
2. Dumbbell Sumo Squat
81 mSCORESWAPPED 349 TIMESA squat exercise performed with dumbbells, in a wide-legged stance to target the legs and glutes.
3. Air Squats
92.1 mSCORESWAPPED 343 TIMESAir Squats are a bodyweight variation of Squats. Like other variations, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets the quadriceps. Without any added resistance this is easily one of the most beginner friendly exercises out there. It’s a great way to start building strength, and working your way towards more advanced variations.
- Beginner
- Quads
4. Side Lunge
79.4 mSCORESWAPPED 307 TIMESSide Lunge is a variation on the more standard Lunge. Similar to other Lunge variations, this compound exercise primarily targets your quadriceps. By stepping to the side instead of forward or backwards, you can further recruit smaller muscles around your hips like your Adductors (the muscle that brings your legs together).
- Beginner
- Quads
5. Leg Extension
99.4 mSCORESWAPPED 295 TIMESLeg Extensions are an isolation exercise that target the quads. Due to a severe lack of isolation movements for the lower body, this is a great option for specifically targeting your quadriceps. The use of a machine restricts your range of motion, and adds some stability to the movement. This can help your focus more on exertion than stabilizing the movement. The downside to this exercise is that it places a lot of tension on your knee. Keep your weights light, and focus on pausing near the end of your range of motion.
- Beginner
- Quads
- Leg Extension Machine
6. Dumbbell Lunge
97.6 mSCORESWAPPED 259 TIMESDumbbell Lunge is a variation on the more standard Lunge. Similar to other Lunge variations, Dumbbell Lunge is a compound exercise that primarily targets the quads. The exercise itself is the same as a standard lunge except for the added weight from holding dumbbells in each hand. This is a great variation for anyone looking to make their lunges a bit more challenging without adding more complexity to the movement.
7. Lunge
90.8 mSCORESWAPPED 248 TIMESLunges are one of the most common lower body exercises out there. It’s a compound exercise that primarily targets your quads. In order to return to a standing position with this exercise you need to engage your quads in order to push yourself back up. This further emphasizes your quadriceps compared to other Lunge variations, however this also places more tension on your knee. By stepping forward with a single leg taking most of the load, you can more easily identify, and address any discrepancies in mobility or strength between sides.
- Beginner
- Quads
8. Dumbbell Squat To Shoulder Press
98.1 mSCORESWAPPED 247 TIMESDumbbell Squat to Shoulder Press is a combination of a Dumbbell Squat and a Shoulder Press. Both pieces of this exercise are compound movements that primarily target the quads and shoulders respectively. Combining these two movements is more than just the sum of its parts. It’s a very functional movement that has tons of practical applications, especially for sports. It’s also a great starting point for anyone looking to build the strength and conditioning needed for more explosive exercises like Thrusters, or eventually Olympic lifts.
9. TRX Pistol Squat
31.6 mSCORESWAPPED 220 TIMESKnown for its intense challenge, the TRX Pistol Squat focuses on unilateral lower body strength, targeting the quadriceps, glutes, and improving balance and coordination. The exercise uses TRX straps for support, allowing practitioners to perform the squat with one leg, which helps in identifying and correcting muscle imbalances.
10. Dumbbell Step Up
84.4 mSCORESWAPPED 196 TIMESDumbbell Step Up is a weighted variation of the more standard Step Up. Similar to other Step Ups, this compound exercise primarily targets your quadriceps. By holding dumbbells you can add more resistance to this exercise without limiting your range of motion.