Cossack Squat (Unloaded & Loaded)
Primary Targets:
• Adductors (bent & straight leg)
• Glutes
• Quads
• Hip stabilizers
Classification:
👉 Lateral squat + straddle strength
Starting Position
• Stand with feet wide.
• Toes slightly out.
• Chest tall.
• Hands in front of chest (unloaded)
or
• Weighted Bar across upper back (loaded).
Execution
Bend that knee and sit into a deep side squat.
Keep the other leg straight with toes up.
Chest stays tall.
Push through the bent leg to return to center.
Switch sides.
Key Cues
• “Sit into the hip.”
• “Toes up on straight leg.”
• “Chest tall.”
• “Knee tracks over toes.”
Tempo & Volume
Unloaded:
• 2–3 sec down / 1 sec pause / 2 sec up
• 6–10 reps / side
• 2–3 sets
Loaded (Bar on Back):
• Use moderate weight
• 4–8 reps / side
• 2–4 sets
Progressions
• Deeper depth
• Slower tempo
• Heavier load
Regressions:
• Hold onto support
• Sit to a box
• Partial depth
Why It’s Huge for Pancake
✔ Builds active adductor strength
✔ Improves side-to-side control
✔ Transfers to straddle depth & stability