Exercise guide · Intermediate · Compound

Band Single Leg Split Squat: How to Do It & Muscles Worked

The band single leg split squat is a lower body exercise targeting the quads, with secondary emphasis on the glutes and hamstrings. It uses a resistance band for added tension and requires balance and coordination.

Primary muscles
Quads
Secondary muscles
Hamstrings , Glutes
Equipment
Band
Level · type
Intermediate · Compound
Demonstration of the band single leg split squat
Front view: muscles worked by the band single leg split squat. Primary: quads. Secondary: hamstrings and glutes.
Back view: muscles worked by the band single leg split squat. Primary: quads. Secondary: hamstrings and glutes.
Primary Secondary

How to do the band single leg split squat

  1. Step 1: Stand with your feet hip-width apart and place a resistance band around your ankles.
  2. Step 2: Take a big step forward with your right foot and a smaller step back with your left foot.
  3. Step 3: Bend your knees and lower your body until your right thigh is parallel to the ground, keeping your left knee slightly above the ground.
  4. Step 4: Push through your right heel to return to the starting position.
  5. Step 5: Repeat on the other side.

Sets, reps and programming

Suggested sets, reps and rest for the band single leg split squat by training goal
Goal Sets Reps Rest Effort
Strength 3–5 3–6 3–5 min 1–3 reps in reserve
Muscle growth 3–4 6–12 2–3 min 1–2 reps in reserve
Muscular endurance 2–3 12–20 1–2 min 1–3 reps in reserve

Ranges follow the ACSM position stand on progression in resistance training. Muscle grows across a wide range of loads when sets end close to failure (Schoenfeld et al., 2017), longer rests between heavy sets support strength and size (Schoenfeld et al., 2016), and stopping a rep or two short of failure works about as well as training to failure (Grgic et al., 2022). Estimate your working weights with the strength calculators.

Band Single Leg Split Squat alternatives

More exercises that train the quads as their main target:

More quads exercises

See the best quad exercises, ranked →

Sources

  1. American College of Sports Medicine. Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009;41(3):687-708.
  2. Schoenfeld BJ, Grgic J, Ogborn D, Krieger JW. Strength and hypertrophy adaptations between low- vs. high-load resistance training. J Strength Cond Res. 2017;31(12):3508-3523.
  3. Schoenfeld BJ, Pope ZK, Benik FM, et al. Longer interset rest periods enhance muscle strength and hypertrophy in resistance-trained men. J Strength Cond Res. 2016;30(7):1805-1812.
  4. Grgic J, Schoenfeld BJ, Orazem J, Sabol F. Effects of resistance training performed to repetition failure or non-failure on muscular strength and hypertrophy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sport Health Sci. 2022;11(2):202-211.

Step-by-step instructions and demonstration media are from the ExerciseDB exercise dataset.

This guide is general fitness information, not medical advice. Stop if an exercise causes pain and speak to a doctor or physiotherapist about injuries or health conditions before starting a new programme.