How to perform Barbell Split Squat with proper form
Setup
- Equipment: Use a barbell and a weight bench or step.
- Starting Position: Stand upright with the barbell across your upper back, hands gripping the bar.
Steps
- Foot Placement: Step back with one foot, placing it on the bench or step behind you. Ensure your front foot is flat on the ground.
- Stance: Keep your front leg straight and your back leg bent. Your feet should be about hip-width apart to maintain balance.
- Lowering Phase:
- Inhale as you lower your body.
- Bend your front knee and lower down until your thigh is parallel to the ground.
- Your back knee should move down toward the floor.
- Keep your torso upright and engage your core.
- Bottom Position: Ensure your front knee stays aligned with your toes and does not go past them.
- Rising Phase:
- Exhale and push through your front heel to rise back to the starting position.
- Straighten your front leg and return to the starting stance.
Tips
- Maintain a neutral spine throughout the movement.
- Focus on a controlled tempo, especially while lowering.
- Keep your gaze forward to help with balance.
Common Mistakes
- Leaning too far forward or arching the back excessively.
- Letting the front knee collapse inward.
- Not using a full range of motion.
Ensure you practice the movement with lighter weights initially to master the form before increasing the load.
Exercises
Clean, Barbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Push
Target: Glutes, Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Back, Shoulders
Synergist: Calves, Biceps, Chest, Forearms
Clean and Jerk, Barbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Push
Target: Glutes, Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Back, Shoulders
Synergist: Calves, Biceps, Chest, Forearms
Deadlift, Barbell
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes, Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Calves, Abs, Forearms
Deadlift, Cable
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes, Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Calves, Abs, Forearms
Deadlift, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes, Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Calves, Abs, Forearms
Deadlift, Smith Machine
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes, Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Calves, Abs, Forearms
Deadlift, Band
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes, Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Calves, Abs, Forearms
Deadlift, Kettlebell
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes, Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Calves, Abs, Forearms
Deadlift, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes, Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Calves, Abs, Forearms
Good Morning, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Hamstrings
Synergist: Glutes
Good Morning, Smith Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Hamstrings
Synergist: Glutes
Good Morning, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Hamstrings
Synergist: Glutes
Hip Adductor, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Hamstrings, Glutes
Synergist: Quadriceps
Lying Leg Curl, Band
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Hamstrings
Synergist: Calves
Lying Leg Curl, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Hamstrings
Synergist: Calves
Reverse Lunge, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Hamstrings
Synergist: Calves
Reverse Lunge, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Hamstrings
Synergist: Calves
Reverse Lunge, Kettlebell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Hamstrings
Synergist: Calves
Reverse Lunge, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Hamstrings
Synergist: Calves
Romanian Deadlift, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Back, Glutes, Hamstrings
Synergist: Abs, Calves