How to do a Lunge
Reviewed by JP Michelsen, CPT, B.A. Kinesiology
About Lunge
Target muscles worked
Instructions for Proper Form
Lunges are one of the most common lower body exercises out there. It’s a compound exercise that primarily targets your quads. In order to return to a standing position with this exercise you need to engage your quads in order to push yourself back up. This further emphasizes your quadriceps compared to other Lunge variations, however this also places more tension on your knee. By stepping forward with a single leg taking most of the load, you can more easily identify, and address any discrepancies in mobility or strength between sides.
- Stand in an upright posture with your feet hip-width apart.
- Shift your weight to your stance leg as the other leg begins to step forward.
- Initiate contact, heel first. with the stepping leg until the foot is firmly planted and the back heel is lifted off the floor.
- While maintaining an upright torso, descend your back knee towards the ground keeping your front heel on the ground.
- Raise your back knee once the front thigh has become parallel with the floor and push off your front forefoot to return to the starting position.
Common Form Mistakes
Not Deep Enough
Make sure you’re dropping your knee to the ground. Limiting your range of motion will make this exercise less effective. You don’t need to slam your knee down. Aim for a controlled tap, or 1-2 inches off the ground.
Improper Distance
The exact distance for an ideal lunge varies for everyone, but it’s incredibly important. A small step can lead to more tension on your knee, as well as a narrow base of support. A long step can also lead to instability. Both will increase your risk of injury, and make the exercise less effective. If you’re struggling with lunge distance, start with a position where you feel stable, and experiment with small adjustments until you find the distance you’re comfortable with.
Knees Not Inline with Toes
If your knees aren’t inline with your toes, this can place tension on your knee. This can increase your risk of injury. Make sure that as you drop into your lunge, your knees and toes are inline.
Sets & Reps Calculator
Average Lunge standards by male, female, gender, weight, age and height
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Alternative Exercises to Lunge
1. Leg Extension
99.4 mSCORESWAPPED 10,123 TIMESLeg Extensions are an isolation exercise that target the quads. Due to a severe lack of isolation movements for the lower body, this is a great option for specifically targeting your quadriceps. The use of a machine restricts your range of motion, and adds some stability to the movement. This can help your focus more on exertion than stabilizing the movement. The downside to this exercise is that it places a lot of tension on your knee. Keep your weights light, and focus on pausing near the end of your range of motion.
- Beginner
- Quads
- Leg Extension Machine
2. Dumbbell Lunge
97.6 mSCORESWAPPED 8,462 TIMESDumbbell Lunge is a variation on the more standard Lunge. Similar to other Lunge variations, Dumbbell Lunge is a compound exercise that primarily targets the quads. The exercise itself is the same as a standard lunge except for the added weight from holding dumbbells in each hand. This is a great variation for anyone looking to make their lunges a bit more challenging without adding more complexity to the movement.
3. Leg Press
99.7 mSCORESWAPPED 5,745 TIMESLeg Press is a compound exercise that primarily targets the quadriceps. The exercise itself is fairly similar to a standard squat, with some key differences. The biggest of these differences is the added stability from supporting your back on the Leg Press Machine. The end result of these changes is a more stable movement that further emphasizes your quadriceps. Leg Press is an excellent exercise for anyone looking to build muscle mass or strength in their quads.
- Beginner
- Quads
- Leg Press
4. Air Squats
92.1 mSCORESWAPPED 5,318 TIMESAir Squats are a bodyweight variation of Squats. Like other variations, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets the quadriceps. Without any added resistance this is easily one of the most beginner friendly exercises out there. It’s a great way to start building strength, and working your way towards more advanced variations.
- Beginner
- Quads
5. Dumbbell Squat
94.1 mSCORESWAPPED 4,807 TIMESDumbbell Squat is a variation of the more standard Squat. Like other variations, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets the quadriceps. The advantage of using dumbbells rather than a barbell is that you have more freedom in your range of motion which can make this a more accessible variation for anyone with mobility limitations. With that freedom comes a bit more instability with this exercise though, which can help you further improve your squat for, and build the strength needed for heavier, or more complex variations.
6. Machine Leg Press
95.1 mSCORESWAPPED 3,881 TIMESMachine Leg Press is a variation on the more standard Leg Press. Like the Leg Press, this is a compound exercise that primarily recruits the quadriceps. This is a great exercise for building strength and muscle mass in your quads. The use of a machine doesn’t change anything significant about this exercise, although your positioning may change depending on the machine you’re using.
- Beginner
- Quads
- Leg Press Machine
7. Dumbbell Sumo Squat
81 mSCORESWAPPED 2,865 TIMESA squat exercise performed with dumbbells, in a wide-legged stance to target the legs and glutes.
8. Dumbbell Squat To Shoulder Press
98.1 mSCORESWAPPED 2,765 TIMESDumbbell Squat to Shoulder Press is a combination of a Dumbbell Squat and a Shoulder Press. Both pieces of this exercise are compound movements that primarily target the quads and shoulders respectively. Combining these two movements is more than just the sum of its parts. It’s a very functional movement that has tons of practical applications, especially for sports. It’s also a great starting point for anyone looking to build the strength and conditioning needed for more explosive exercises like Thrusters, or eventually Olympic lifts.
9. Dumbbell Bulgarian Split Squat
91.4 mSCORESWAPPED 2,428 TIMESDumbbell Bulgarian Split Squat is a weighted variation of a Bulgarian Split Squat. Like other Bulgarian Split Squats, this exercise is a compound movement that primarily targets your quads. The use of dumbbells allows you to add more resistance to this exercise, without restricting your range of motion and posture as much as using a barbell.
10. Back Squat
99.3 mSCORESWAPPED 2,428 TIMESBack Squat is one of the three Powerlifting movements, and one of the most common lower body exercises. It’s a great compound exercise that can help build strength and muscle mass in your leg, especially your quadriceps. It’s a staple in most fitness programs, and is often used as a metric for tracking lower body strength in general.