V Squat vs Pistol Squat
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log V Squat more often — 5,025 sessions vs 86. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of V Squat and Pistol Squat and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
V Squat vs Pistol Squat: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log V Squat more often — 5,025 sessions compared to 86 for Pistol Squat.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. V Squat and Pistol Squat differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How V Squat and Pistol Squat Differ
| What differs | V Squat | Pistol Squat |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a machine | bodyweight only |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 5,025 sessions | 86 sessions |
How to Do V Squat
V Squat Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Tighten your abdomen and keep your waist straight, then bend at the hip to lower your buttocks down.
- 2. Allow your knees to bend naturally until your thighs are vertical to your body.
- 3. Push strongly through the center of your feet to rise up.
- 4. As your buttocks rise, straighten your knees and hips in sequence, and return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to lean your upper body too far forward.
- 2. Keep your chest up and engage your core to avoid bending your waist.
- 3. Don't excessively bend your waist while trying to keep it straight.
- 4. Please do not stick your hips too far back.
- 5. Make sure your feet do not come off the ground.
- 6. When standing up, please ensure your knees do not come together.
For a full V Squat guide with alternatives and benefits, see the V Squat exercise guide.
How to Do Pistol Squat
Pistol Squat Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Lower your leg lifted off the ground until it is parallel to the floor.
- 2. As your hips rise, straighten your knees and hip joints in sequence, and return to the starting position.
- 3. Proceed one side at a time or alternately.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to excessively lean your upper body forward.
- 2. Keep your chest up and engage your core to avoid bending your waist.
- 3. Don't excessively bend your waist while trying to keep it straight.
- 4. Please do not stick your hips too far back.
- 5. Make sure your feet do not come off the ground.
- 6. When standing up, please ensure your knees do not come together.
For a full Pistol Squat guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Pistol Squat exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, V Squat or Pistol Squat?
Planfit users log V Squat more often — 5,025 sessions against 86 for Pistol Squat. Both train Leg, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do V Squat and Pistol Squat need?
V Squat needs a machine, and Pistol Squat needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
V Squat is the easier place to start. Move to Pistol Squat once your form holds up.
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