How to perform Dumbbell Split Squat with proper form
Setup:
- Stand upright with a dumbbell in each hand, arms at your sides.
- Step one foot back into a split stance; the back heel should be lifted, and both feet should be shoulder-width apart.
Execution:
- Lower your body by bending both knees, keeping your front knee aligned over your ankle.
- Descend until your back knee nearly touches the ground.
- Ensure your torso remains upright and core engaged throughout the movement.
- Push through the front heel to return to the starting position.
Tips:
- Keep your back straight and avoid leaning forward.
- Control your descent and ascent to maintain balance.
- Perform the exercise evenly on both legs.
Common Mistakes:
- Allowing the front knee to extend past the toes.
- Excessive leaning or rounding of the back.
- Using weights that are too heavy to maintain proper form.
Variations:
- Perform with a rear foot elevated on a bench for added range of motion.
- Use a single dumbbell held in the goblet position for a different challenge.
Focus on maintaining correct posture and control throughout the exercise for maximum effectiveness and safety.
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

Romanian Deadlift, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Back, Glutes, Hamstrings
Synergist: Abs, Calves

Romanian Deadlift, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Back, Glutes, Hamstrings
Synergist: Abs, Calves

Seated Leg Curl, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Hamstrings
Synergist: Calves, Quadriceps

Stiff Leg Deadlift, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Back, Glutes, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Abs

Stiff Leg Deadlift, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Back, Glutes, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Abs

Stiff Leg Deadlift, Band
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Back, Glutes, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Abs

Straight Leg Deadlift, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Glutes

Straight Leg Deadlift, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Glutes

Straight Leg Deadlift, Band
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Glutes

Straight Leg Deadlift, Kettlebell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Glutes

Sumo Deadlift, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps, Hamstrings, Back
Synergist: Abs, Biceps, Forearms

Ab Wheel, Bodyweight
Type: Core
Target: Abs
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Shoulders, Back, Chest

Back Extension, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Core
Target: Back
Synergist: Glutes, Hamstrings

Back Extension, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Core
Target: Back
Synergist: Glutes, Hamstrings

Box Squat, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Box Squat, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Bulgarian Split Squat, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Cable Pull Through, Cable
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Back, Hamstrings

Calf Press on Seated Leg Press, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Calves, Quadriceps
Synergist: Glutes, Hamstrings

Deadlift High Pull, Barbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Pull
Target: Shoulders, Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Biceps, Forearms, Calves, Back

Deficit Deadlift, Barbell
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Back, Quadriceps, Calves

Deficit Deadlift, Trap Bar
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Back, Quadriceps, Calves

Elliptical Machine, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Synergist: Biceps, Forearms, Shoulders, Glutes, Hamstrings, Back, Chest, Quadriceps

Flat Knee Raise, Bodyweight
Type: Core
Target: Abs
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps

Flat Leg Raise, Bodyweight
Type: Core
Target: Abs
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Glutes

Front Squat, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Front Squat, Cable
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Front Squat, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Front Squat, Smith Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Front Squat, Kettlebell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Glute Bridge, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps

Glute Bridge, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps

Glute Bridge, Band
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps

Glute Bridge March, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Abs
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps

Glute Kickback, Cable
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Abs

Glute Kickback, Band
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Abs

Goblet Squat, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Goblet Squat, Kettlebell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Hack Squat, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Hack Squat, Smith Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Hip Thrust, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps

Hip Thrust, Band
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps

Hip Thrust, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps

Hip Thrust, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps

Jackknife Sit Up, Bodyweight
Type: Core
Target: Abs
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Glutes

Jump Squat, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Jump Squat, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Kettlebell Swing, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Core
Target: Shoulders, Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Chest, Calves

Kettlebell Swing, Kettlebell
Type: Upper, Lower, Core
Target: Shoulders, Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Chest, Calves

Leg Press, Smith Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Leg Press, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Lunge, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Lunge, Cable
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Lunge, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Lunge, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Overhead Squat, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Glutes, Calves

Overhead Squat, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Glutes, Calves

Pistol Squat, Kettlebell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Pistol Squat, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Pistol Squat, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Reverse Hyperextension, Band
Type: Core, Lower
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings

Reverse Hyperextension, Leverage Machine
Type: Core, Lower
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings

Reverse Lunge, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves, Glutes

Reverse Lunge, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves, Glutes

Reverse Lunge, Kettlebell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves, Glutes

Reverse Lunge, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves, Glutes

Safety Squat Bar Squat, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Back, Calves

Seated Leg Press, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Single Leg Bridge, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Abs
Synergist: Shoulders, Hamstrings, Chest

Single Leg Deadlift, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Back, Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings

Single Leg Deadlift, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Back, Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings

Single Leg Hip Thrust, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps

Single Leg Hip Thrust, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps

Single Leg Hip Thrust, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps

Sissy Squat, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings

Snatch, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Pull
Target: Shoulders, Back, Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves, Chest, Triceps

Split Squat, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Split Squat, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Split Squat, Band
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Split Squat, Kettlebell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Split Squat, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Squat, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves, Back, Abs

Squat, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves, Back, Abs

Squat, Smith Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves, Back, Abs

Squat, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves, Back, Abs

Squat, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves, Back, Abs

Squat Row, Band
Type: Upper, Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes, Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Hamstrings, Chest, Quadriceps, Calves

Step up, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Step up, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Step up, Band
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Step up, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Sumo Deadlift High Pull, Barbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Pull
Target: Shoulders, Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Biceps, Forearms, Calves, Back

Superman, Dumbbell
Type: Core
Target: Back
Synergist: Glutes, Hamstrings

Superman, Bodyweight
Type: Core
Target: Back
Synergist: Glutes, Hamstrings

Thruster, Barbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Push
Target: Shoulders, Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Chest, Calves, Triceps

Trap Bar Deadlift, Trap Bar
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves

Zercher Squat, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves