If you’re looking to add variety to your workout routine and improve your overall strength, unilateral training exercises are a great place to start. These exercises focus on working one side of the body at a time, helping you identify and correct any muscle imbalances while also improving coordination and stability.
One of the most popular unilateral training exercises is the single-leg squat or lunge. This exercise targets the glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves all in one movement. To perform this exercise correctly, stand with feet shoulder-width apart and lift one leg off the ground. Slowly lower down into a squat or lunge position while keeping your weight centered over your standing foot. Push through your heel to return to standing position before repeating on the other leg.
Another effective unilateral exercise is the dumbbell single-arm row. This exercise focuses on strengthening the upper back muscles as well as biceps and shoulders. Begin by placing one hand on a bench or box that’s slightly higher than knee height with a dumbbell in your opposite hand. Keeping your core engaged and back flat, pull the dumbbell up towards your chest while squeezing your shoulder blades together. Lower back down slowly before switching sides.
The Bulgarian split squat is another challenging yet rewarding unilateral exercise that targets both legs equally while also engaging core muscles for balance. Stand facing away from a bench or step with one foot resting behind you on top of it. Keeping weight centered over front foot, lower into a lunge position by bending front knee until it forms 90-degree angle; push back up through heel.
Adding these exercises into regular workouts can help prevent injuries caused by muscle imbalances while also increasing overall strength and stability throughout entire body not just targeted areas being worked upon during each move separately!