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Curtsey Squat
A single-leg squat where the rear leg crosses behind the stance leg, loading the glute medius and quads through a frontal-plane challenge regular lunges miss.
LegsBodyweightSingle-leg squat
GoLightWeight mediacurtsey-squat
Demonstration coming soon
Primary
Gluteus mediusQuadriceps
Secondary
Gluteus maximusAdductorsCore
Equipment
Bodyweight
Pattern
Single-leg squat
Setup
- 01Stand tall with feet hip width apart and hands clasped at your chest.
- 02Shift your weight fully onto the front working leg.
- 03Fix your eyes forward and brace the trunk.
- 04Keep the front foot pointing straight ahead.
Execution
- 01Step the free leg back and across behind the stance leg.
- 02Bend both knees and lower until the rear knee hovers near the floor.
- 03Keep the front knee tracking over the front foot.
- 04Drive through the front heel to return to standing.
Checkpoints
- -Hips and chest stay facing forward despite the crossed stance.
- -Front knee tracks over the toes without caving inward.
- -Weight stays loaded on the front leg; the rear toes only balance.
- -Torso stays tall with a modest forward lean.
Common mistakes
- -Twisting the hips toward the crossing leg.
- -Letting the front knee collapse inward at the bottom.
- -Taking a shallow step so the rep becomes a small dip.
- -Pushing off the rear foot instead of the working leg.
Programming notes
- -Use 2 to 4 sets of 8 to 12 reps per leg with bodyweight before loading.
- -Progress by holding a dumbbell goblet-style once balance is consistent.
- -Program after primary squats as unilateral and lateral-hip accessory work.
Related exercises
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