Stop F*cking Up Bulgarian Split Squats (PROPER FORM!)
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Published 2023-12-10
Step 1 of this bulgarian split squat tutorial is getting the setup right:
When doing a dumbbell bulgarian split squat, you are going to need a pair of dumbbells and an adjustable or flat bench. I would say that 90 percent of the problems with the exercise and the mistakes made during split squats is on how we position the feet in front of the bench and on top of the bench. Let’s start with the foot placement in front of the bench.
Step 2 of this bulgarian split squat how-to is your front foot position:
Sit down on the bench with the dumbbells held on your thighs. From here, extend one leg out until the knee is straight and the heel is positioned on the ground. This will represent the position of your heel when you stand to do the leg exercise. Before you do anything else however, move the foot out to the side another 2-3 inches.
Step 3 of this bulgarian split squat form guide is your back leg and foot positioning:
With the front heel in the place that you measured in step 2, you will know put your back foot up on the bench. The way you place the foot is critical however. If you put just your toes down on top of the bench then you are likely going to have balance difficulties. The toe is just not enough of a contact point with the bench to keep stability once the movement of the exercise starts. Instead, allow the ankle to fold in naturally and increase your foot/bench contact area by involving the outer portion of the foot and ankle.
Step 4 of this bulgarian split squat how-to is the torso angle:
This is where you get to target the muscles of the legs that you want to focus on with this versatile dumbbell leg exercise. If you want to hit more of the quads then you will want to make sure you keep your torso upright throughout the entire movement. If you want to make this more of a glute focused exercise then you would want to angle your body forward (without rounding your low back) and maintain this slight lean throughout the set.
Step 5 is how low should you go on a bulgarian split squat
This one is easy. You want to be sure that you go low enough that the dumbbells make contact with the floor without fully resting them on the floor. Many people will go low enough but remove the tension from their legs temporarily by disengaging and letting them rest even momentarily. This isn’t correct. You want the dumbbells to make contact but you want to feel their weight in your hands at all time to ensure that they are at no point resting.
Step 6 of how to do dumbbell bulgarian split squats is the intensity techniques that you apply to your sets:
There are so many ways that you can intensify a set of bulgarian split squats to further improve their ability to help you grow bigger legs. The first is by incorporating a pause rep at the bottom of the reps. This will increase the tension in the stretch position of the quads and glutes leading to a better hypertrophy response. The second thing is to take it one step further and perform them as one and a half reps. This will require that you lower to the bottom, come up just half way, go back down and then come back up to the top. This is just more stretch tension on the reps making for an even greater growth stimulus. Finally, you can perform this leg exercise without any dumbbells at all and do them explosively as a plyometric bulgarian split squat.
Now that you know how to bulgarian split squat properly, you will not only be able to set a good example for other gym-goers, but you will eliminate any risks that comes along with the traditionally performed version of this exercise. When it comes to form on a dumbbell bulgarian split squat, how you do it is going to determine whether you are setting yourself up for injury or if you are going to build bigger quads and glutes without that risk.
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Jeff Cavaliere MSPT, CSCS served as both the head physical therapist and assistant strength coach for the New York Mets. Jeff earned his Masters of Physical Therapy and Bachelor’s of Physioneurobiology from the College of Health Sciences University of Connecticut Storrs. He is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
All Comments (21)
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“FAST ACTION” Q&A* - Leave your most burning question about this video or any other training, PT or nutrition question within the first 2 hours of this video’s release (AS A SEPARATE COMMENT!!) and I will pick 8 to get a detailed reply from me right here in the comments. Answers wi ll be posted within the first 24-48 hours of you leaving the question. Good luck!
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I've been watching this guy for over 10 years and he's still teaching me new innovative ways to do an exercise. it's like it never ends. incredible.
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My problem with this exercise is that I prefer dumbbell curls.
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My heart rate went to 165 just watching this.
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My main problem with this exercice was keeping my balance. Thanks for all your advices through all theses years
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I used to train almost exclusively with barbell/DB squats, deadlifts and some other machines on leg days. Tried switching it up with two of the Jeff's fav exercises this time ; the DB bulgarian squat and the DB reverse lunges. The difference in the burn is ABSOLUTELY INSANE. I've never been able to hit my glutes and quads as well before 🔥
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Watched this video, then did 5 sets of BSS with weights. First time doing them with no pain!! And for the first time, felt all of my leg muscles working as I’ve always heard they would in this exercise. Thank you for your service to humanity, Jeff and team. You all are the best!! 🙏🏼🧘♂️💪🏼
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Thank you so much for this video! As a beginner for weightlifting at 61 with numerous hip and back problems, it was almost impossible for me to do Bulgarian splits with a pointed toe, without an external support, now I can do it!
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Once again, great stuff Jeff. Thanks for sharing this info, you're the best fitness channel in the world !
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U continue to be the king of exercise specifics breakdown! What - How - Why & variations.
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Couldn't be more correct. I've Felt and Seen results doing it this way, than the way I did them for the last 4 years. Thank you Athlean X
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Thank you, Jeff! Your explanations and demonstrations on how to properly perform a given exercise are always very helpful.
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As a trainer myself, I love watching Jeff's videos. Even for an exercise like this one that I more or less know inside and out, Jeff always has a little gem to hone my own technique as well as teaching method for any exercise I've ever seen. Great video!
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I’m leaving yet another comment appreciating how great this advice is. I’m so grateful to learn about rotating the foot! It’s not leg day but I’m going to try this out right now. Also the guy doing explosive reps at the end is a BEAST. Inspirational.
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one of my favorite body weight exercises. Thanks for doing a form video on it. I would appreciate some other "simple" exercise videos that everyone does wrong. Wouldn't hurt to do another push up video again.
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I like this guy, I’ll take his advice over the guy that does the pizza and donut ad.
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The tip placement of foot on the floor was super helpful. I always struggled with how far my foot on the ground should be from the bench. As always, great informative video. Thanks Jeff!
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I would love to have a series of doing exercises properly. I'm always learning from you, and you have really helped me to set my weight lifting program up. It's been going great!
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Thanks Jeff for a short, to the point, but very valuable video. The leg position and the depth were always tough for me, but now that I have seen this, will try out the tips to see the benefits.
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This is by far, the best Video I’ve seen on how to do al Bulgarian split squat! I’ve seen videos where the instructor says do not lean forward. They didn’t say why they just said you’re not supposed to lean forward. But if you don’t lean forward, you are only working your quads. I’m really glad I saw this video! Now I can put it to the test, because my balance was/is terrible. This guy is the best hands-down. 🙌
