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

Bulgarian Split Squat (Dumbbell)

Place one foot on a bench behind you. Squat down on the front leg until your thigh is parallel to the floor. This is a challenging unilateral leg builder.

Quick facts

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

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

DumbbellFlat Bench / Sofa

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 few feet in front of a bench or elevated surface.
    • Hold a dumbbell in each hand at your sides with your arms fully extended.
  2. Step 2Position Your Rear Foot
    • Extend one leg back and place the top of your foot on the bench.
    • Ensure your front foot is flat on the ground, about two feet in front of the bench.
  3. Step 3Engage Your Core
    • Keep your core tight and your back straight.
    • Focus on maintaining a neutral spine throughout the movement.
  4. Step 4Lower Your Body
    • Bend your front knee and lower your body until your thigh is parallel to the ground.
    • Keep your front knee aligned with your ankle and avoid letting it extend past your toes.
  5. Step 5Push Back Up
    • Press through your front heel to return to the starting position.
    • Ensure that you maintain control and stability as you rise.
  6. Step 6Repeat
    • Complete the desired number of repetitions on one leg before switching to the other leg.
    • Focus on maintaining good form with each repetition.
  7. Step 7Finish the Exercise
    • After completing your sets, carefully step back and remove your rear foot from the bench.
    • Place the dumbbells down safely at your sides.

Alternatives & variations

Explore similar movements targeting the same muscles.

View all exercises
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
Bulgarian Split Squat (Bodyweight)

Bulgarian Split Squat (Bodyweight)

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