Most people fail their first pistol squat not because their legs aren’t strong enough—but because their ankle mobility can’t keep up.
You might crush regular squats, lunges, even weighted step-ups.
But when you try a single-leg squat to the floor, your heel pops up, your balance goes, and the whole move feels impossible.
Here’s the breakthrough: strength alone won’t unlock the pistol.
You need the mobility to keep your heel planted while your hips sink low.
If this is an issue, simply add a weight plate or something on your heels to help.
Once the ankle opens up and the bottom position feels natural, the pistol squat stops being a circus trick and starts being a progression tool toward flows, jumps, and even acrobatic power.
👉 When you’ve tried pistols before, what breaks down first for you—strength, balance, or ankle mobility?