The single leg squat (AKA pistol) is not a very popular exercise. This may be because it is very difficult to perform, technically and physically. It not only requires sufficient skill to execute, but also a body that is free from restrictions. If an athlete has any imbalances or excessive chains of tension, the single leg squat will be nearly impossible to perform. In a way, this movement will weed out the trainees whom are concerned with specific attributes of athleticism from those whom are concerned with their total athleticism.

If you can currently perform 20 bodyweight squats in succession with near perfect technique and want to learn the single leg squat exercise, watch this instructional video and practice each step until perfection. You can also apply my incremental approach to any physical skill you are hoping to learn next, even if you’re not interested in single leg squats.

First a little background.

In the past, I had always had difficulty performing any single-leg training with perfect technique. I was often pretty wobbly, and I attribute this to thousands of miles of long distance running in high school which led to several overuse injuries. Ever so occasionally, I would try doing single leg squats as part of my strength training program, but I would always squat down to a chair. I could never perform the esteemed pistol, which requires a full single leg squat when your hamstring is resting on your calf, and your opposite leg is extended in front of you (lifted off of the ground).

I don’t know what got into me that made me want to master the single leg squat. Maybe I was fed up with still never being able to do them. Maybe I wanted to again prove that I can do anything I put my mind and energy towards. Maybe I just wanted to build bigger, stronger legs. Regardless, I made up my mind and decided to stop at nothing. I would master the single leg squat no matter what it takes, even if I had to practice everyday. And that’s exactly what I did, at least in the beginning – since strength is a skill.

Watch and learn how I taught myself the single leg squat – and please apply this “Pistol Method” to whatever physical exercise you are looking to master next.

Single Leg Squat Practice – how to master any exercise fast

Continue reading Single Leg Squat Practice: How to Master Any Exercise or Movement Quickly (using the Pistol Method)