Quad exercises

Cossack Squat

Also known as: Squat cosaque · Κοζάκικα καθίσματα · Lateral Squat · cossack squats · side squat

Primary
Quads
Equipment
Bodyweight
Type
Compound
Suggested rest
1 min
 
One side at a time

How to do the Cossack Squat

  1. Stand with your feet very wide and toes turned out slightly.

  2. Squat deep onto one leg while keeping the other straight with its toes pointing up.

  3. Keep the heel of your bent leg on the floor and your chest up.

  4. Push back to the center and move to the other side.

Sets and reps

GoalSetsRepsRest
Muscle growth3–46–151 min
Muscular endurance2–315–201 min

When you hit the top of the rep range on every set, add a rep or a harder variation next session.

Starting points from training research. Stop each set 1–3 reps short of failure.

Muscles worked

Primary

Quads

Secondary

Adductors, Glutes

The front of your thighs straightens the knee. Squats, leg presses and lunges with deep knee bend build them; leg extensions isolate them.

Alternatives

Same muscles, similar movement: swap in one of these if the Cossack Squat doesn’t suit your gym or your joints.

Train smarter

More quads

See all 103 →

Bodyweight quad exercises