Mighty Logo
Mighty
← Back to library
Last updated March 30, 2026
AdductorsCalvesHamstringsQuadricepsAbductorsGlutes

Bulgarian Split Squat (Bodyweight)

Place rear foot on a bench. Squat down until your front thigh is parallel. Keep your weight in the front heel. This burns even without weights.

Quick facts

Level
Advanced
Mechanic
Compound
Force
Push
Type
Strength
Injury Risk
Moderate
Hypertrophy
Very High
Calorie Burn
Medium

Muscle focus

Primary and secondary muscle groups targeted by this movement.

Primary

Quads

Secondary

Glutes (max)

Equipment & setup

What you need and how to position yourself before starting.

Equipment

Flat Bench / SofaBody Weight

Movement pattern

Staggered

Posture

Standing

Tracking parameters

repsweight

Step-by-step instructions

Follow these cues to master proper technique and stay safe through every rep.

  1. Step 1Setup
    • Stand a couple of feet in front of a bench or elevated surface.
    • Place one foot behind you on the bench, ensuring your toes are pointed down.
  2. Step 2Position Your Body
    • Keep your chest up and shoulders back, engaging your core.
    • Ensure your front foot is flat on the ground and your knee is aligned with your ankle.
  3. Step 3Lower Your Body
    • Bend your front knee and lower your body until your thigh is parallel to the ground.
    • Keep your back straight and avoid leaning forward excessively.
  4. Step 4Push Back Up
    • Press through your front heel to return to the starting position.
    • Ensure your knee does not extend past your toes as you push up.
  5. Step 5Repeat
    • Perform the desired number of repetitions on one leg before switching to the other leg.
    • Maintain good form throughout each repetition.
  6. Step 6Finish the Exercise
    • After completing your sets, step away from the bench carefully.
    • Take a moment to stretch your legs and cool down.

Alternatives & variations

Explore similar movements targeting the same muscles.

View all exercises
Bulgarian Split Squat (Dumbbell)

Bulgarian Split Squat (Dumbbell)

Quads
Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Glutes (max)
Frog Reverse Hyperextension

Frog Reverse Hyperextension

Glutes (max)
Sumo Deadlift (Smith)

Sumo Deadlift (Smith)

Quads
Zercher Back Extension (Barbell)

Zercher Back Extension (Barbell)

Lower Back
Deadlift (Barbell)

Deadlift (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Hip Thrust (Smith)

Hip Thrust (Smith)

Glutes (max)
Resistance Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Resistance Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Glutes (max)
Goblet Squat (Kettlebell)

Goblet Squat (Kettlebell)

Quads
Goblet Squat (Dumbbell)

Goblet Squat (Dumbbell)

Quads
Sumo Squat (Barbell)

Sumo Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Resistance Glute Bridge (Band)

Resistance Glute Bridge (Band)

Glutes (max)
Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Kettlebell)

Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Kettlebell)

Hamstrings
Squat (Barbell)

Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Leg Press (Smith)

Leg Press (Smith)

Quads
Hack Squat (Barbell)

Hack Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Resistance Shuttle (Band)

Resistance Shuttle (Band)

Quads
Lateral Lunge (Dumbbell)

Lateral Lunge (Dumbbell)

Quads
Lunge (Barbell)

Lunge (Barbell)

Quads
Squat (Smith)

Squat (Smith)

Quads
Box Squat (Barbell)

Box Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Squat - Wide (Barbell)

Squat - Wide (Barbell)

Quads
Sumo Squat (Kettlebell)

Sumo Squat (Kettlebell)

Quads
Deadlift - Deficit (Barbell)

Deadlift - Deficit (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Leg Press - Horizontal, Seated (Machine)

Leg Press - Horizontal, Seated (Machine)

Quads
Glute Press (Machine)

Glute Press (Machine)

Glutes (max)
Sumo Squat (Dumbbell)

Sumo Squat (Dumbbell)

Quads
Hack Squat - Close Stance

Hack Squat - Close Stance

Outer Quad
Pull Through (Cable)

Pull Through (Cable)

Glutes (max)
Hip Thrust (Dumbbell)

Hip Thrust (Dumbbell)

Glutes (max)
Swing (Kettlebell)

Swing (Kettlebell)

Glutes (max)
Walking Lunge (Dumbbell)

Walking Lunge (Dumbbell)

Quads
Hack Squat

Hack Squat

Quads
Rear Kick - Standing (Machine)

Rear Kick - Standing (Machine)

Glutes (max)
Glute Kickback (Cable)

Glute Kickback (Cable)

Glutes (max)
Kickback - Kneeling, Straight Leg

Kickback - Kneeling, Straight Leg

Glutes (max)
Hip Thrust - Staggered Stance (Barbell)

Hip Thrust - Staggered Stance (Barbell)

Glutes (max)
Reverse Lunge (Bodyweight)

Reverse Lunge (Bodyweight)

Quads
Landmine Deadlift

Landmine Deadlift

Hamstrings
Lunge - Forward (Kettlebell)

Lunge - Forward (Kettlebell)

Quads
Lateral Lunge (Barbell)

Lateral Lunge (Barbell)

Quads
Pause Deadlift (Barbell)

Pause Deadlift (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Pistol Squat (Machine)

Pistol Squat (Machine)

Quads
Deadlift - (Trap Bar)

Deadlift - (Trap Bar)

Quads
Sumo Deadlift (Barbell)

Sumo Deadlift (Barbell)

Quads
Resistance Leg Kickback (Band)

Resistance Leg Kickback (Band)

Glutes (max)
Reverse Vertical Hack Squat (Machine)

Reverse Vertical Hack Squat (Machine)

Quads
Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Barbell)

Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Smith)

Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Smith)

Hamstrings
Sumo Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)

Sumo Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Resistance Hip Thrusts (Band)

Resistance Hip Thrusts (Band)

Glutes (max)
Rear Decline Bridge

Rear Decline Bridge

Glutes (max)
Sled Side Leg Press

Sled Side Leg Press

Quads
Squat (Band)

Squat (Band)

Quads
Front Squat (Barbell)

Front Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Bent Over Hip Extension (Band)

Bent Over Hip Extension (Band)

Glutes (max)
Front Squat (Smith)

Front Squat (Smith)

Quads
Hip Extension (v2) (Machine)

Hip Extension (v2) (Machine)

Glutes (max)
Pull Through (Cable: Rope)

Pull Through (Cable: Rope)

Glutes (max)
Hack Squat (Smith)

Hack Squat (Smith)

Quads
Version 1 · Created November 12, 2025