Side Squat: How to Build Strong and Attractive Legs

While traditional squats are well-known for their ability to build leg strength, side squats offer a unique twist. They target muscles often neglected by other exercises, providing a more well-rounded lower body workout. Whether your goal is improving strength, balance, or aesthetics, side squats are a fantastic addition to your fitness regimen.

What Is a Side Squat?

A side squat, sometimes referred to as a lateral squat, is a variation of the traditional squat. In this movement, instead of squatting straight down, you step out to the side and squat into one leg while keeping the other leg straight. This movement pattern shifts the focus to the muscles on the sides of your hips and thighs—particularly the glutes, adductors, abductors, and quadriceps.

By working these lateral muscles, you develop not only strength but also stability and balance. Plus, the exercise improves flexibility and mobility, particularly in the hips and groin area, which is often a challenge for people who sit for long hours or don’t stretch regularly.

Why Side Squats Are a Game-Changer

If you’re only doing traditional squats, you’re missing out on the benefits that side squats can bring. Here’s why this exercise is such a game-changer:

1. Engages Multiple Muscle Groups

Side squats primarily target your quads, hamstrings, and glutes. However, they also hit muscles often neglected in other leg exercises, including your hip abductors, adductors, and obliques. Strengthening these muscles can help prevent injuries, especially if you participate in sports that require lateral movement like tennis, basketball, or soccer.

2. Improves Balance and Stability

Since you’re moving in a lateral direction, side squats force your body to stabilize itself in ways that traditional squats don’t. This improves overall balance and stability, which is crucial for daily activities like walking or standing on one leg, as well as for sports performance.

3. Enhances Flexibility

The side squat stretches and strengthens the muscles around your hips and groin, improving flexibility and range of motion. This is important not just for athletic performance but also for reducing stiffness and increasing comfort in everyday movements.

4. Shapes and Tones Your Legs

Incorporating side squats into your routine can help you achieve a more toned, symmetrical appearance in your legs. By targeting different muscles than traditional squats, side squats create a balanced and aesthetically pleasing shape. If your goal is to have lean, strong legs, this exercise is a must.

Source: Luis Vidal on Unsplash

How to Do the Side Squat Correctly

Performing the side squat with the correct form is essential to get the most out of this exercise and avoid injury. Follow these step-by-step instructions:

1. Start with your feet shoulder-width apart, keeping your chest up and your core engaged.
2. Step to the side with your right foot, while bending your right knee and pushing your hips back as if you’re sitting into a squat.
3. As you squat down on your right side, keep your left leg straight and your toes pointing forward.
4. Lower yourself until your thigh is parallel to the ground, or as far as your flexibility allows.
5. Push through your right heel to return to the starting position.
6. Repeat the movement on the left side, alternating between right and left for the desired number of reps.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While side squats are effective, they can also lead to injury if not done correctly. Here are a few common mistakes to avoid:

1. Leaning Forward

One of the most frequent errors is leaning forward when performing the squat. This places unnecessary strain on your lower back and takes the focus away from your legs. Always keep your chest lifted and your back straight.

2. Letting the Knee Cave In

Make sure your knee tracks over your toes and doesn’t collapse inward. If your knee caves in, you could risk injury to your joints and ligaments. To prevent this, engage your core and glutes throughout the movement.

3. Not Squatting Deep Enough

Many people perform shallow side squats, limiting their benefits. Try to squat down until your thigh is parallel to the ground, or as low as your flexibility allows. The deeper the squat, the more muscles you’ll engage, particularly in your glutes and hamstrings.

How to Incorporate Side Squats into Your Routine

Now that you know how to do a side squat correctly, you might be wondering how to incorporate it into your existing workout routine. Here are a few ways to include side squats to enhance your leg day:

1. Warm-Up

Use side squats as part of your warm-up routine. Doing 2-3 sets of 10-12 reps on each leg can activate your muscles and improve mobility before diving into heavier exercises.

2. Leg Day Circuit

Incorporate side squats into a leg-day circuit. For example, after performing traditional squats and lunges, add 3 sets of 15 side squats on each leg to target those lateral muscles.

3. Bodyweight or Weighted

You can do side squats with just your body weight or add resistance by holding a dumbbell or kettlebell at your chest. If you’re looking to build more strength, gradually increase the weight as you improve your form and flexibility.

The side squat is a versatile and effective exercise that can help you build stronger, more balanced legs. By targeting muscles that often go unnoticed in traditional squats, side squats improve your strength, flexibility, and overall stability. Whether you’re looking to boost your athletic performance, prevent injury, or simply sculpt lean, toned legs, this exercise deserves a place in your workout routine.

Incorporate side squats consistently, focus on proper form, and watch your legs transform!

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