The pistol squat is a one legged squat that is one of the most challenging bodyweight exercises around. I would like to work my way up to being able to do it. Craig Ballantyne explains it very well below on how to to perform it and get better at it.
You have to be pretty strong to do this so if you already can - awesome! If you can't, then follow the video below and keep practicing.
The Pistol Squat
It is a cool bodyweight exercise and imagine how you can impress your friends by being able to do it. Besides that, it will make you stronger. If you can already perform the pistol squat, how long did it take you and how often do you do it?
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Yeah pistols are great. Everything has to be working well though to do them right or even do them at all. I would also suggest Steve Cotter’s DVD on mastering the pistol. It has some very good stuff in there.
Yay pistols are a staple of parkour conditioning. Try pistols while balancing on top of a handrail – a handrail makes all sorts of exercises harder lol.
I’m surprised the video didn’t show them off a side of a ledge like a small box. It’s a step before going to the ground. On the ground requires more flexibility to get the leg out horizontal.
A great exercise – strength and balance in equal measure. if you can master these and also the one arm press up then you’ve got a pretty impressive bodyweight routine. it’s really a case of training and practice…
Great exercise, Can also be preformed from a box step or bench when learning so you don’t have to bring the hanging leg up so high.
I’m pretty brutal at pistols, myself. I need to use a bench usually and I’m still wabbly!
However, single leg work is important for maintaining structural balance. Great read
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I LOVE pistol squats. I used to think I had strong legs when all I did was weighted squats. When I learned about these, and tried them. I seriously got my feelings hurt. I immediately stopped the weighted squats, considering the fact that I couldn’t do even 1 true body weight squat, I figured I had no business squatting with weight added. Now I can do about 6 of these. Tremendous leg workout!!!
Wowsa! Never even heard of these, but I’ll be trying them tomorrow! Thanks!