Single Leg Sit (wall)
Challenge your quadriceps and glutes with the Single Leg Wall Sit. Improve muscular endurance and stability by holding a seated position against a wall
Description
An exercise that works the thighs and glutes by sitting against a wall with one leg extended straight out.
How to Do Single Leg Sit (wall)
- 1Setup
Stand with your back flat against a sturdy wall, placing your feet shoulder-width apart and about 1-2 feet away from the wall.
- 2Setup
Slowly slide your back down the wall until your hips and knees form a 90-degree angle, as if sitting in an invisible chair, ensuring your shins are perpendicular to the floor.
- 3
Engage your core and glutes, then slowly extend one leg straight out in front of you, keeping it parallel to the floor and your knee locked.
- 4
Maintain a strong, flat back against the wall and hold this single-leg seated position for the prescribed duration, breathing steadily.
- 5
Carefully bring the extended leg back to the two-leg wall sit position and repeat the entire sequence with the opposite leg after a brief rest.
Tips
- Keep your core tight and actively press your lower back against the wall to prevent arching and protect your spine.
- Focus on driving the heel of your standing foot into the ground to enhance stability and increase glute activation.
- Ensure the extended leg remains parallel to the floor; avoid letting it sag down, as this reduces the challenge on the working leg.
- For an easier modification, try lifting only the heel of the extended leg slightly off the floor while keeping the toes down.
Common Mistakes
- ×Letting your hips rise above parallel to the floor reduces quad engagement; ensure your thighs remain parallel to the floor, forming a 90-degree angle at the knee.
- ×Arching the lower back away from the wall puts strain on the spine; actively press your entire back flat against the wall by engaging your abdominal muscles.
- ×Failing to keep the extended leg straight and active diminishes the exercise's effectiveness; maintain a straight, engaged leg parallel to the floor throughout the hold.
Variations

Single Leg Squat (pistol)
Master the challenging single leg squat, or pistol squat, to build incredible lower body strength, balance, and mobility in your quads, glutes, and

Weighted Single Leg Lift
Strengthen your hip flexors and quadriceps with the Weighted Single Leg Lift. This isolation exercise enhances core stability and improves balance.

Sit (wall)
Strengthen your quads and glutes with the wall sit. Lean against a wall, slide down until your hips and knees form 90-degree angles, then hold.

Plyo Sit Squat (wall)
Boost leg power and explosiveness with the Plyo Sit Squat. This dynamic wall-supported exercise targets quadriceps, glutes, and calves, enhancing athletic
Related Exercises

Bodyweight Squat
Master the bodyweight squat for stronger legs and glutes. This fundamental exercise builds lower body strength, improves mobility, and enhances overall

Bodyweight Wall Squat
Strengthen your quads and glutes with the bodyweight wall squat. Lean against a wall, slide down into a seated position, and hold.

Side Squat
Perform side squats to strengthen your glutes, quadriceps, and outer thighs. This dynamic bodyweight exercise improves lower body strength and stability.

One Leg Quarter Squat
Perform a one-leg quarter squat to build strength and stability in your quads and glutes. This bodyweight exercise improves balance and single-leg power.

Dumbbell Complex Push-up Row Clean and Press
The ultimate full-body dumbbell complex combining a push-up, row, clean, and overhead press in one flow.

Dumbbell Renegade Row to Squat
Build total-body strength with this demanding complex combining renegade rows and explosive squats.
Track Single Leg Sit (wall) in your workouts
Log sets, reps, and weight. See your progress over time.
Get Ellim — Free