The gateway to single-leg strength. Hold on and earn it.
Pull only as much as you have to. Let the working leg do the real work, not your arms.
The pistol squat asks one leg to do everything, and the assisted version makes that ask reasonable, holding a rack, pole, or strap for just enough support to control the descent and grind out the stand. The working quad handles the full range from standing to the bottom, with the glute stabilising the hip and driving the way back up, one side at a time so nothing hides. It earns its place as the bridge every future pistol squatter walks across.
As little as gets the job done, the support is a balance aid and an emergency brake, not a rope climb. If your arms are hauling you up, the leg is not adapting, lighten the grip until it is barely fingertips.
Usually limited ankle mobility, the deep bottom position demands a lot of forward knee travel. Work with a small plate under your heel while you develop the range, and keep the support handy so you can sit into the position safely.
Comfortable double-leg squats to full depth and controlled single-leg box squats are a sensible base. From there, the assisted pistol builds the specific strength and balance, reducing arm support over weeks is the progression.
