Quad exercises

Kettlebell Pistol Squat

Also known as: Pistol squat au kettlebell · Πιστόλια με κέτλμπελ · single leg squat · pistol

Primary
Quads
Equipment
Kettlebell
Level
Advanced
Type
Compound
Force
Push
Suggested rest
2 min
 
One side at a time

How to do the Kettlebell Pistol Squat

  1. Pick up a kettlebell with two hands and hold it by the horns. Hold one leg off of the floor and squat down on the other.

  2. Squat down by flexing the knee and sitting back with the hips, holding the kettlebell up in front of you.

  3. Hold the bottom position for a second and then reverse the motion, driving through the heel and keeping your head and chest up.

  4. Lower yourself again and repeat.

Sets and reps

GoalSetsRepsRest
Muscle growth3–48–122 min
Muscular endurance2–315–201 min

When you hit the top of the rep range on every set, add 4 kg (10 lb) next session and work back up.

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

Muscles worked

Primary

Quads

Secondary

Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Shoulders

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

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Kettlebell quad exercises