How To Perform The Bodyweight Lateral Squat

The lateral squat using bodyweight is a great exercise to work your lower body, especially your glutes. This unilateral movement helps improve your balance and flexibility, while also strengthening your legs, hips, and core.

How to Do The Movement

Start standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and parallel. Bend your knees and shift your weight into your left leg as you push your hips back and lower into a squat. Keep your chest up and your right knee behind your toes. Return to standing and repeat on the other side.

Benefits

The lateral squat is a great exercise for strengthening the muscles of the lower body, including the glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves. This exercise can also help improve flexibility and balance. In addition, the lateral squat challenges the stabilizing muscles of the hips and core.

1. Keep your heel down.
2. Keep your knee pointed straight ahead over your toes.
3. Only lower as far as you comfortably can.

Instruction courtesy of Precision Nutrition. Fitness Pros- If you’re interested in becoming a Certified Nutrition Coach, they’re top notch!

Variations

There are many variations of the lateral squat that you can try to add variety to your workout routine. For example, you can hold dumbbells or kettlebells at your sides to make the exercise more challenging. You can also try doing a single-leg squat or a split squat. You can also add a jump to make the exercise more plyometric in nature.