Pistol Squat
Muscles worked: Quads, Glutes (assisted by abs).
How to do it
- Pick up a kettlebell with two hands and hold it by the horns.
- Squat down by flexing the knee and sitting back with the hips, holding the kettlebell up in front of you.
- Hold the bottom position for a second and then reverse the motion, driving through the heel and keeping your head and chest up.
- Lower yourself again and repeat.
Coaching cues
The two cues IronPack shows on this exercise's card mid-workout:
- Free leg straight out in front
- Hold a counterweight to learn the balance
Logging it
IronPack suggests working in the 3 to 8 rep range, progressing in 1 kg jumps when you own the top of the range. Bodyweight movement: log added weight only, and your records account for your logged bodyweight. Records are tracked automatically at every rep count from 1 to 12. Check your estimated 1RM from any hard set.
Related exercises
- Deadlift - back, glutes
- Sumo Deadlift - glutes, quads
- Trap Bar Deadlift - quads, glutes
- Back Extension - glutes
Track the pistol squat properly
IronPack logs every set, tracks your records at every rep count, shows these form photos mid-workout, and turns the training into a card game you play with your mates.
Get IronPack free on the App StoreFree download, iPhone. Currently on the New Zealand App Store, wider rollout to follow.
Photos and steps: free-exercise-db (public domain). Cues, muscle weighting and logging guidance are IronPack's own app data. Last generated 2026-07-17.