How to perform Kettlebell Pistol Squat with proper form
Setup
- Kettlebell Grip: Hold a kettlebell by the horns with both hands, keeping it close to your chest or at arm's length for balance.
- Stance: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and toes pointed slightly outward.
Execution
- One-Leg Lift: Shift your weight to one leg and lift the opposite leg off the ground, extending it forward.
- Squat Down: Lower your body by bending the standing knee while keeping the lifted leg extended in front of you.
- Depth: Aim to squat down until your hip is below your knee on the standing leg. Maintain your balance and control.
- Core Engagement: Keep your core tight and ensure your back remains straight throughout the movement.
- Return: Push through your heel to stand back up, returning to the starting position while keeping the lifted leg extended.
Tips for Proper Form
- Knee Alignment: Ensure your knee stays in line with your toes; avoid letting it cave inward.
- Controlled Movement: Perform the squat slowly to maintain stability and control.
- Breathe: Inhale as you lower and exhale as you push back up.
Common Mistakes
- Rounding the back: Keep a neutral spine.
- Loss of balance: Focus on a fixed point in front of you.
- Not engaging the core: Always keep the core tight for stability.
Progression
Start with a lighter kettlebell or no weight at all until you master the form, then gradually increase the weight as you become more comfortable.
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