Cossack Squat
Also known as: Side-to-Side Squat, Lateral Deep Squat, Cossack Squats, Cossack Lunge, Lateral Cossack Squat, Cossack Side Squat
Body region
Muscles
Main
Helps
Holds
Technique
- Stand with your feet very wide, toes turned slightly out.
- Shift your weight to one side and squat down on that leg, keeping the heel flat.
- Straighten the other leg and turn its toes up toward the ceiling.
- Push back up to the middle and repeat on the other side.
Cues
- Sit down into the hip rather than bending forward.
- Keep the working heel flat on the floor.
- Go only as deep as you can with a straight back; hold a light weight in front for balance if needed.
Common mistakes
- Lifting the heel of the bending leg.
- Rounding the back to get lower.
- Letting the working knee collapse inward.