Unilateral Lower Body

Bulgarian Split Squat

A practical movement guide for every Mission SOP that uses this exercise. Sets, reps, load, tempo, and purpose remain specific to each mission and phase.

Movement guide available

Anatomy map

Muscles involved

Primary Supporting
Option 2 custom anatomy illustration for Bulgarian Split Squat, with primary and supporting muscles highlighted
PrimaryQuadriceps
SupportingGluteal musclesAdductorsCalves

ShaOS custom anatomy illustration. Visual reference only; movement coaching and muscle classifications remain defined by the Exercise Library.

Description

A rear-foot-elevated split squat that develops single-leg strength, balance, and hip stability through a large range of motion.

Setup & Execution

  1. Stand a comfortable stride in front of a low bench and place the top of the rear foot on it.
  2. Center most of your weight over the front leg and brace with the front foot fully planted.
  3. Lower the rear knee toward the floor while the front knee tracks with the toes.
  4. Push through the front foot to return to standing without bouncing off the rear leg.

Coaching Cues

  • Ride the front leg down.
  • Keep the front foot heavy.
  • Move straight down and up.

Common Mistakes

  • Setting the stance too short or too long.
  • Pushing primarily from the rear foot.
  • Allowing the front knee to collapse inward.

Movement media

See the movement

Reviewed short loop
Published media
Short silent loop · 6.6 seconds
Reviewed
Jul 16, 2026
Video source
Open source record
30–60 second tutorialplanned
Setup angleplanned
Side angleplanned
Key cue overlayplanned
Captionsplanned
Transcriptplanned

Accessible movement summary

Stand a comfortable stride in front of a low bench and place the top of the rear foot on it. Center most of your weight over the front leg and brace with the front foot fully planted. Lower the rear knee toward the floor while the front knee tracks with the toes. Push through the front foot to return to standing without bouncing off the rear leg.

Key cue: Ride the front leg down.

The production indicators above are roadmap states, not claims that multi-angle footage, overlays, captions, or a narrated transcript are already available.

Adapt the movement

Regressions & alternatives

Preserve the movement pattern while matching current capacity, available equipment, and the mission environment.

Regression

Supported static split squat

Progression

Front-foot-elevated Bulgarian split squat

Home gym

Rear-foot-elevated bodyweight split squat

Commercial gym

Smith-machine Bulgarian split squat

Used in

Linked Mission SOPs

Lower Strength & CarriesFoundation