TAKEN-RACK SWAP · 100% MUSCLE OVERLAP

Dumbbell Reverse Lunge vs Pistol Squat

FR : Fente inversées aux haltères ↔ Pistol Squat

Swapping Dumbbell Reverse Lunge (Dumbbell) for Pistol Squat (Bodyweight) retains 100% overlap; expect alternative path. Compare exact 17-muscle fractional recruitment before swapping equipment mid-session.

Weighted Muscle Overlap
100%
Sum of min(coef A, coef B)
Primary Equipment
Dumbbell → Bodyweight
Same rep/load measurement family
Load Transfer Protocol
Target RPE 7.5–8.5
Never assume 1:1 kg across leverages

Side-by-Side 17-Muscle Recruitment Delta

How primary mover (1.0× set) and synergist (0.5× set) allocation changes when swapping Dumbbell Reverse Lunge for Pistol Squat.

Muscle Group Dumbbell Reverse Lunge Pistol Squat Leverage Shift
Quadriceps Primary (38%) Primary (38%) Matched
Glutes (Gluteus Maximus / Medius) Primary (35%) Primary (35%) Matched
Hamstrings Secondary (15%) Secondary (15%) Matched
Hip Adductors Secondary (12%) Secondary (12%) Matched

Load & Volume Conversion: Dumbbell Reverse Lunge → Pistol Squat

Worked weight heuristic: a 38 kg per hand set on Dumbbell Reverse Lunge (Dumbbell) maps roughly to 57.5 kg on Pistol Squat (Bodyweight; 2.5 kg jumps, curve: alternative curve). Calibrate set 1 at RPE 8 so e1RM history for Dumbbell Reverse Lunge remains unskewed. Zero anatomical muscles are dropped between Dumbbell Reverse Lunge and Pistol Squat; 1:1 weekly set volume carries straight across.

Supporting Sports-Science Literature

Study Title Lead Author & Year Verified Link
Computational modeling of a forward lunge: towards a better understanding of the function of the cruciate ligaments. Alkjaer (2012) PubMed 23057673 ↗
Muscle activation during lower body resistance training. Ebben (2009) PubMed 18975260 ↗
Hip thrust and back squat training elicit similar gluteus muscle hypertrophy and transfer similarly to the deadlift. Plotkin (2023) PubMed 37461495 ↗
Hip thrust and back squat training elicit similar gluteus muscle hypertrophy and transfer similarly to the deadlift. Plotkin (2023) PubMed 37877099 ↗

Related Biomechanical Swaps