Barbell Side Split Squat — start position
Start
Barbell Side Split Squat — end position
End

Legs / Beginner / Compound (multi-joint)

Barbell Side Split Squat

A barbell exercise for the quads, with the calves, hamstrings and lower back assisting.

At a glance

Primary
Quads
Secondary
Calves, Hamstrings, Lower back (erectors)
Equipment
Barbell
Movement pattern
Single-leg / lunge
Level
Beginner
Type
Legs, Compound (multi-joint), One side at a time

How to do it

  1. Stand up straight while holding a barbell placed on the back of your shoulders (slightly below the neck). Your feet should be placed wide apart with the foot of the lead leg angled out to the side. This will be your starting position.
  2. Lower your body towards the side of your angled foot by bending the knee and hip of your lead leg and while keeping the opposite leg only slightly bent. Breathe in as you lower your body.
  3. Return to the starting position by extending the hip and knee of the lead leg. Breathe out as you perform this movement.
  4. After performing the recommended amount of reps, repeat the movement with the opposite leg.

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Muscles worked

Neck (Front)Upper traps (Front)Front delts (Front)Side delts (Front)Chest (Front)Serratus anterior (Front)Biceps (Front)Forearms & grip (Front)Abs (Front)Obliques (Front)Hip flexors (Front)Quads — primary (Front)Adductors (Front)Shins (tibialis) (Front)Calves — secondary (Front)Outer shins (peroneals) (Front)Feet (arch & toes) (Front)Neck (Back)Upper traps (Back)Upper back (rhomboids, mid/lower traps) (Back)Rear delts (Back)Side delts (Back)Rotator cuff (Back)Lats (Back)Lower back (erectors) — secondary (Back)Triceps (Back)Forearms & grip (Back)Hip abductors (glute med) (Back)Glutes (Back)Hamstrings — secondary (Back)Adductors (Back)Calves — secondary (Back)
FrontBack
  • Primary: Quads
  • Secondary: Calves, Hamstrings, Lower back (erectors)

Best for

How specific this exercise is to each movement.

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Photos and instructions: free-exercise-db (github.com/yuhonas/free-exercise-db), public domain.