1 Leg Squats

[SteveCNY]

I want to incorporate these into my leg routines. What would be the best way to go about doing them. I have been doing them once a week with assistance. Ill use 1 hand on the wall to help get me going, but then i let go and its all on the leg.

how do you guys do them?

[QVT93]

I would never touch a pistol squat. Ever. The pressure on my knee is almost unbearable. So if thats what you're talking about, reconsider - unless you have the flexibility. In which case, best of luck.

Bulgarian split squats on the other hand, are great, if still pretty taxing on the knee. I say use a bench and a very very light weight to start, and then ramp up slowly.

Lunges are a pretty great way to train single leg balance so those may help you

[Drag]

I do them the same way you do them. I don't have to use the wall to help me lift myself, I only lightly touch it to help me keep my balance (left leg only).

I'm wondering if doing one-legged squats on the smith machine would be more beneficial as I could do them with added weights.

[QVT93]

If you did them in the smith you'd lose the only benefit to one leg squats which is increased balance skills.

[tonester]

Yeah. Any holding on just negates improved balance which pistols are all about (after leg strength). Try these... http://health.msn.com/dietfitness/ar...ntid=100150894

I did this for a while...killer. http://www.elitefts.com/documents/body_barbell.htm

have fun.

[riseboi]

When I do them I usually use a plyometric box to stand on, with one leg hanging off.

[Drag]

If you did them in the smith you'd lose the only benefit to one leg squats which is increased balance skills.

I thought so.

[QVT93]

Yeah. Any holding on just negates improved balance which pistols are all about (after leg strength). Try these... http://health.msn.com/dietfitness/ar...ntid=100150894

I did this for a while...killer. http://www.elitefts.com/documents/body_barbell.htm

have fun.

Yeah on the MSN article, step-ups are also really great for single leg strength.

[balaclavaboy]

I first started doing hit the deck squats with these

[SteveCNY]

Thanks guys! It was my first time attempting them this week so ill be building up some more over the next few weeks!


these are tough
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qVdsyVFjCTc

[XBlasphemyX]

I want to incorporate these into my leg routines. What would be the best way to go about doing them. I have been doing them once a week with assistance. Ill use 1 hand on the wall to help get me going, but then i let go and its all on the leg.

how do you guys do them?

I do barbell squats, then some other stuff, and end off with one legged squats.

[SteveCNY]

I do barbell squats, then some other stuff, and end off with one legged squats.

yea i do the same thing. i still do my BB squats. i just wanted to add something new to totally shock the legs.

[papi93]

yea i do the same thing. i still do my BB squats. i just wanted to add something new to totally shock the legs.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/mahler2.htm

[SteveCNY]

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/mahler2.htm

tthanks papi!

[Tyciol]

They are all essentially pretty similar. There's a good mention of these on a recent T-mag article somewhat. Leg in front straightened is a pistol squat. Leg straight below (involes knee past toe generally) is a step-up, like higher RoM stair climbing.

With the other leg touching the ground many people don't consider something a 1-leg squat. But, if one leg takes most of the weight and the other one is simply for stability, it's basically a 1-leg squat anyway. Most lunges are like this, especially when the back foot is elevated on a bench.