When was the final time you probably did a dumbbell cut up squat? 

In case you’re unfamiliar with this train (or not doing it recurrently), you might be lacking out. 

It’s so efficient as a result of it lets you practice your whole decrease physique one leg at a time. This helps you construct balanced dimension and power and probably enhances athletic efficiency. 

Furthermore, you’ll be able to carry out it virtually anyplace utilizing no matter tools you might have accessible, making it a extremely adaptable lower-body train you’ll be able to carry out wherever and nevertheless you want. 

On this article, you’ll study what the cut up squat is, why it’s helpful, which muscle mass it really works, how you can carry out it with correct type, keep away from frequent errors, and embody it in your program, the most effective options, and extra. 

What Is A Cut up Squat?

The dumbbell cut up squat is a lower-body train.

To carry out this train, seize a dumbbell (or kettlebell) in every hand and step ahead with one foot. Bend each knees, decreasing your physique till the knee of your rear leg brushes the ground, then stand again up.

Cut up Squat: Advantages

1. It trains your whole decrease physique.

The cut up squat trains your whole decrease physique, together with your quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves

It additionally mimics actions we make in on a regular basis life (e.g., climbing stairs, stepping over objects, and working). Therefore, the cut up squat may also help make day by day actions simpler by strengthening the muscle mass concerned in these actions.

2. It trains your decrease physique unilaterally.

The cut up squat is a unilateral train, which implies it lets you practice one aspect of your physique at a time. 

That is helpful as a result of unilateral workouts . . .

  • Could permit you to carry extra complete weight than some bilateral workouts (workouts that practice either side of the physique on the identical time), probably serving to you achieve extra muscle over time
  • Aid you develop a higher mind-muscle connection together with your quads, glutes, and hamstrings since you solely must concentrate on a single leg at a time
  • Aid you right muscle imbalances as a result of either side of your physique are pressured to carry the identical quantity of weight (one aspect can’t “take over” from the opposite)
  • Enhance a number of facets of your athletic efficiency greater than bilateral workouts, together with leaping, agility, and pace

3. It’s extremely adaptable.

The cut up squat doesn’t require a squat rack, machine, or bench, so you’ll be able to carry out it just about anyplace, whether or not on the gymnasium, at house, or in a resort room whereas touring. 

Moreover, you’ll be able to add resistance to the cut up squat utilizing any tools you might have accessible, together with dumbbells, kettlebells, a barbell, or resistance bands. And when you’ve got none of those handy, you need to use simply your physique weight.

In different phrases, the cut up squat is an adaptable train for coaching your decrease physique, wherever and nevertheless you select to train.

Cut up Squat: Muscle groups Labored

Right here’s how these muscle mass look in your physique:



split squat muscles worked



Cut up Squat: Kind

The easiest way to study how you can do a cut up squat with correct type is to separate the train into three components: arrange, descend, and squat.


strength training


1. Arrange

Maintain a dumbbell in every hand and let your arms cling at your sides. Stand upright together with your toes hip-width aside, your chest up, and your shoulders again, then step 2-to-3 toes ahead together with your proper foot. 

2. Descend

Decrease your physique by bending each knees till your left knee touches the ground and your proper thigh is parallel to the ground. As you descend, maintain your higher physique upright and permit the heel in your left foot to come back off the ground.

3. Squat

Reverse the movement by pushing by means of your entrance heel to straighten your legs and return to the begin place. When you’ve carried out the specified variety of reps, swap legs and repeat the method. 

Right here’s the way it ought to look if you put all of it collectively:



split squat form


Cut up Squat: Frequent Errors

1. Taking a very slim stance.

Having your toes virtually consistent with one another could make balancing harder. Keep away from this by guaranteeing your toes keep about hip-width aside all through the train. 

2. Bouncing your knee off the ground. 

Descending too rapidly could cause you to bounce your knee off the ground. 

Whereas it would make the train really feel simpler, it may improve harm danger and forestall your legs from working as arduous, robbing you of muscle and power achieve.

3. Stepping too far ahead.

Taking a very lengthy stride in the course of the set-up could make the cut up squat uncomfortable and balancing more difficult.

To keep away from this, solely step 2-to-3 toes ahead when establishing.

Learn how to Embrace the Cut up Squat in Your Program

Embrace the cut up squat towards the tip of your lower-body or leg exercises after your principal bilateral workouts. Right here’s an instance of the way you may do that:

  • Barbell Again Squat: 3 units of 4-to-6 reps with 2-to-3 min relaxation
  • Romanian Deadlift: 3 units of 4-to-6 reps with 2-to-3 min relaxation
  • Cut up Squat: 3 units of 4-to-6 reps with 2-to-3 min relaxation
  • Leg Curl: 3 units of 6-to-8 reps with 2-to-3 min relaxation

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The Finest Cut up Squat Options

1. Barbell Cut up Squat


dumbbell split squat


Utilizing a barbell as an alternative of dumbbells for the cut up squat lets you carry heavy weights since you aren’t restricted by your grip power, which is mostly higher for gaining muscle and power. 

The downsides are that it’s not as straightforward to drop the burden when you lose stability, and it locations the load in your again, which might not be appropriate for these with again points. 

2. Bulgarian Cut up Squat


split squat


The one distinction between the Bulgarian and common cut up squats is that the previous entails elevating your rear foot on a bench or field.

Elevating your rear leg locations extra weight in your entrance foot, which implies the Bulgarian cut up squat works your muscle mass barely extra. 

That mentioned, the cut up squat calls for much less coordination and stability, making it a extra appropriate selection for newbie weightlifters or these recovering from accidents.

3. ATG Cut up Squat


split squats


The ATG cut up squat is basically a daily cut up squat carried out by means of an extended vary of movement

Within the ATG (“ass-to-grass”) cut up squat, you decrease your physique so far as attainable and push your entrance knee over the high of your foot, inflicting your entrance leg’s hamstring and calf to satisfy. Some consultants imagine this makes the ATG cut up squat extremely efficient for gaining quad power, enhancing flexibility, and growing injury-resistant knees. 

Keep in mind the ATG model requires a level of flexibility many lack. If that is so for you, a very good workaround is to raise your entrance leg and place a wedge below your foot.

+ Scientific References