How to perform Bodyweight Bulgarian Split Squat with proper form
Starting Position
- Setup: Stand a couple of feet in front of a bench or knee-height platform, facing away from it.
- Rear Foot: Place the top of your rear foot on the bench behind you.
- Front Foot: Position your front foot far enough forward that the knee stays over the ankle at the bottom.
Movement
-
Lowering Phase:
- Bend the front knee and lower straight down until the front thigh is roughly parallel to the floor.
- Keep your torso upright or leaning slightly forward, front knee tracking over the toes.
-
Raising Phase:
- Drive through the front foot to push back up to the starting position.
Key Points
- Most of the weight stays on the front leg - the rear leg is for balance, not for pushing.
- Keep the front knee in line with the toes; do not let it cave inward.
- Stay in the split stance for the whole set rather than stepping the feet together between reps.
Exercises
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, Quadriceps
Lying Leg Curl, Band
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Hamstrings
Synergist: Calves, Quadriceps
Lying Leg Curl, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Hamstrings
Synergist: Calves, Quadriceps
Nordic Curl, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Hamstrings
Synergist: Calves, Glutes, Back
Seated Leg Curl, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Hamstrings
Synergist: Calves, Quadriceps
Straight Leg Deadlift, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Hamstrings
Synergist: Back, Glutes
Straight Leg Deadlift, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Hamstrings
Synergist: Back, Glutes
Straight Leg Deadlift, Band
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Hamstrings
Synergist: Back, Glutes
Straight Leg Deadlift, Kettlebell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Hamstrings
Synergist: Back, Glutes
Assisted Squat, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Glutes, Calves
Box Squat, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Calves
Box Squat, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Calves
Bulgarian Split Squat, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Glutes, Calves
Bulgarian Split Squat, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Glutes, Calves
Elliptical Machine, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Synergist: Biceps, Forearms, Shoulders, Glutes, Hamstrings, Back, Chest, Quadriceps
Front Squat, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Glutes, Calves
Front Squat, Cable
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Glutes, Calves