Why to Lunge?

I've always heard from many the reason they hate lunges is pain on the knees. When asked to preform a lunge the reason is all to obvious, the form is usually incorrect.

Lunges are a great lower-body and core exercise that aims several muscle groups at the same time helping your body gain balance, stability, strength and burn calories. Lunges help activate your abdominals, butt, hip, legs and thighs.

To be precise the primary muscles worked on include: the transverse abdominus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, quadriceps, gluteus maximus, hamstrings and obliques.

How to do a proper Walking Lunge

Step 1: Stand up with your legs hip to shoulder width apart and your arms at your sides.

Step 2: Take a step 2 to 3 feet forward with your right leg. Bend both of your knees to lower yourself down into a lunge. Both knees should create 90-degree angles. Keep your front knee directly over your ankles and behind your toes to avoid unnecessary strain on your knees. Keep your chin and chest up.

Step 3: Repeat with your left foot stepping forward.

Dumbbell Lunge

Step 1: Stand up with your legs hip to shoulder width apart. Firm grasp on weights tilted downwards with your thumb and index finger pressed on the inner part of the dumbbell to avoid unnecessary strain to your wrist. Keep arms at your sides.

Step 2: Same as above.

Step 3: Repeat with your left foot stepping forward.

NOW GO LUNGE!!! AROO!

Walking Lunge - slideshow