Exercise library / Quads

One Leg Barbell Squat

Main muscles
Quads
Also works
Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings
Equipment
Barbell
Level
Expert
Type
Compound · Push

How to do it

  1. Start by standing about 2 to 3 feet in front of a flat bench with your back facing the bench. Have a barbell in front of you on the floor. Tip: Your feet should be shoulder width apart from each other.
  2. Bend the knees and use a pronated grip with your hands being wider than shoulder width apart from each other to lift the barbell up until you can rest it on your chest.
  3. Then lift the barbell over your head and rest it on the base of your neck. Move one foot back so that your toe is resting on the flat bench. Your other foot should be stationary in front of you. Keep your head up at all times as looking down will get you off balance and also maintain a straight back. Tip: Make sure your back is straight and chest is out while performing this exercise.
  4. As you inhale, slowly lower your leg until your thigh is parallel to the floor. At this point, your knee should be over your toes. Your chest should be directly above the middle of your thigh.
  5. Leading with the chest and hips and contracting the quadriceps, elevate your leg back to the starting position as you exhale.
  6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
  7. Switch legs and repeat the movement.

Quick answers

What muscles does the One Leg Barbell Squat work?
Mainly the quads, with help from the calves, glutes, hamstrings.
What equipment do I need?
Barbell.
Is it good for beginners?
It is rated expert level, so learn simpler versions first.
How do I track progress on it?
Log each set and beat the weight or reps from last time. Liftrung shows your last set beside the next one and estimates your one-rep max from your sets.

More quads exercises

Exercise descriptions: free-exercise-db, public domain.