One Leg Barbell Squat
How to do the One Leg Barbell Squat with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.
Quads
Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings
Barbell
How to do the One Leg Barbell Squat
- 1
Start by standing about 2 to 3 feet in front of a flat bench with your back facing the bench. Have a barbell in front of you on the floor. Tip: Your feet should be shoulder width apart from each other.
- 2
Bend the knees and use a pronated grip with your hands being wider than shoulder width apart from each other to lift the barbell up until you can rest it on your chest.
- 3
Then lift the barbell over your head and rest it on the base of your neck. Move one foot back so that your toe is resting on the flat bench. Your other foot should be stationary in front of you. Keep your head up at all times as looking down will get you off balance and also maintain a straight back. Tip: Make sure your back is straight and chest is out while performing this exercise.
- 4
As you inhale, slowly lower your leg until your thigh is parallel to the floor. At this point, your knee should be over your toes. Your chest should be directly above the middle of your thigh.
- 5
Leading with the chest and hips and contracting the quadriceps, elevate your leg back to the starting position as you exhale.
- 6
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
- 7
Switch legs and repeat the movement.
Log it, see it on your body.
Every One Leg Barbell Squat set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap — so your quads volume is visible at a glance — and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.
More quads exercises
The climb is free. The Club is how you go further.
Core tracking is free forever. Club unlocks the coach, the competition, and the depth — for the price of one protein-shake a month.
Your own coach character
Pick Rae, June or Atlas — a coach that reads your last 90 days and proposes the next move. Free gets nudges; Club gets the full conversation.
Mountain leagues, worldwide
Get ranked against climbers everywhere — every muscle tiered by bodyweight strength. Promote, demote, and prove it weekly.
Weekly + monthly challenges
Fresh goals that keep the streak interesting — solo or with your crew. Something to chase beyond your own numbers.
Deep analytics + PR projections
See exactly when you'll hit your next PR and bodyweight goal — 4, 8, 12 weeks out. The trajectory, not just today's number.
Unlimited crews
Run as many crews as you want — squads, family, gym friends. Shared summits, cheers, and a feed that keeps everyone climbing.
Themes, higher AI limits, full export
Aurora, Volcanic and Summit themes. More AI chat headroom. And CSV + JSON export of everything, anytime — your data stays yours.
14-day free trial · no card · cancel anytime · founder pricing locked forever.