The lunge is basically a giant step. The exercise can be done without weights, with dumbbells or kettlebells held at the sides or at shoulder level or with a barbell at the chest or behind the neck on the shoulders. Lunges work the upper leg muscles and the muscles of the buttocks.
1. The Starting Position
- Choose dumbbells of a weight that will enable you to complete theexercise sets you have chosen. Trial and error will be required to settle on a suitable weight. Start with a light weight.
- Stand up straight with a dumbbell in each hand. Hang arms at the your sides. Palms should face the thighs (hammer grip). Feet should be a little less than shoulder width apart.
2. The Exercise Movement
- Take a big step forward (with either leg) while bending at the knee until the front thigh is approaching parallel to the ground and the rear leg is bent at the knee and balanced on the toes. Don't let the knee go past the tip of the toes. This can agitate the knee joint if done excessively.
- Step back to your starting position, and repeat the motion with the other leg, alternating legs until the exercise program set is complete.
3. Points to Note
- Although the exercise can be done without weights, aweighted lunge provides additional work for the muscles, and for women in particular, provides the weight-bearing exercise that is so important for bone health.
- The exercise can also be performed with dumbbells held at the front of the shoulders or with a barbell on the shoulders, behind the neck — these are more advanced versions of the lunge.
- For better balance, don't lift the rear foot too far on to the toes until you get a feel for this exercise. You'll get better as you practice.
- Remember, don't move the knee past the tips of the toes.
- This is a good exercise to include in a circuit-training program workout.
- Variations include backward and forward lunges at an angle to the body.
