Unilateral Lower Body

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 musclesOrange · None
  • Secondary musclesGraphite gray · None

Anatomy pending review

The movement remains available for planning and tracking while its ShaOS anatomy illustration is reviewed.

PrimaryQuadsGlutes
SecondaryInner thighsHamstringsCalvesCore

No anatomy image is published until the ShaOS model has been reviewed.

Description

A stationary single-leg strength exercise that develops the quadriceps, glutes, balance, and control without requiring an elevated surface.

Setup & Execution

  1. Take a comfortable staggered stance with both feet pointed mostly forward and enough width to balance.
  2. Keep most of the pressure through the front foot while the rear foot acts as a kickstand.
  3. Lower the rear knee toward the floor as the front knee tracks with the toes.
  4. Push through the front foot to return to the start without bouncing or stepping between repetitions.

Coaching Cues

  • Use the back foot as a kickstand.
  • Move down, then up.
  • Keep the front foot fully planted.

Common Mistakes

  • Standing on a tightrope-width stance.
  • Driving mostly through the rear leg.
  • Letting the front knee collapse inward.

Movement media

See the movement

Demonstration planned

No reviewed footage published yet

The written setup, cues, and alternatives remain the current technique reference while the tutorial is produced.

30–60 second tutorialplanned
Setup angleplanned
Side angleplanned
Key cue overlayplanned
Captionsplanned
Transcriptplanned

Accessible movement summary

Take a comfortable staggered stance with both feet pointed mostly forward and enough width to balance. Keep most of the pressure through the front foot while the rear foot acts as a kickstand. Lower the rear knee toward the floor as the front knee tracks with the toes. Push through the front foot to return to the start without bouncing or stepping between repetitions.

Key cue: Use the back foot as a kickstand.

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 shallow-range split squat

Progression

Bulgarian split squat

Home gym

Split squat beside a wall for balance

Commercial gym

Bodyweight split squat beside a secured rack upright

Used in

Linked Mission SOPs