Squats vs. Lunges.....

[bigtallox]

lately I have considered using the Smith machine for starters.

Avoid doing that, IMHO. The argument happens here all the time so I'm not going into that here, I'm just stating my opinion. What do I know?

It appears that squats are king when it comes to getting good results for your legs

No, they're king for more than that. People forget that while your legs generate the power, your core has to transfer that power to the bar, that takes your muscles effort, and your upper body has to hold the weight.

but my question is this: Can lunges do the job as well as squats?

In terms of what goal? Building muscle? If yes, no lunges can't replace squats, but nothing's wrong with doing both.

[bigtallox]

Squats are to the legs what bench press is to the chest.

Not a very good analogy, IMHO. Benching isn't strictly necessary ( I don't bench because I so a lot of overhead pressing with strongman events, benching is counter productive and it's not a strongman event ), squats are necessary.

[hochspeyer]

Hmm... zombie thread about squats vs... lunges? And not one response questioning the sanity of the OP? Wow- kinder and gentler.

Squats for me.

[2nd_chance]

Hmm... zombie thread about squats vs... lunges? And not one response questioning the sanity of the OP? Wow- kinder and gentler.

Squats for me.

Lol... I was thinking the same thing... sure was different back in 2007... not necessarily better, just different

[Shaunhavoc]

Squats do something else which I can't quite put a finger on - I've heard talk about them affecting metabolism, etc. - that when I do them I find my entire body grows; my upper body grows faster, more noticeably, than if I had skipped them.

Working such a large muscle group sends your bodys recovery and growth systems into overdrive, this in turn assists with growth and recovery of other muscle groups also being trained. Basically squatting assists with your gains in other areas

[stereosteveo]

I was uncomfortable with squats too, and even the thought of doing them scared me.
I've found it was because I was too stiff and robotic, trying to follow the 'proper' form to a T, and using way too much weight.

Now I just relax a little and pretty much just focus on keeping my balance by looking straight ahead.
I just do what I can 3x8, which aint a lot... But I'm quickly getting used to them and I'm actually starting to really like the challenge.

I can easily see why squats are what 'separate the men from the boys' so to speak.
Even though maybe I'm only in the pre-teen category thus far.....

[ThundaHorz]

A few years ago I got away from heavy squats and did the majority of my building with my legs with leg presses. I rarely do lunges. I got really good results by doing heavy leg presses, moderate weight with squats. My legs look really cut by changing this. I still believe that you need to squats.
I also do leg curls and extensions which I also believe is a must for definition.

The first thing I thought when I read this was, "Not unless you do lunges with 200 lb dumbells." But since I don't do lunges, I can't realy say if that's true.

Great post! Ditto....

IMO Squats are a Mass Builder where the Lunges are Shape builder.

There is no better leg buiding exercise other than squats, being a compound exercise the primary target is the Quads but the secondary benefits are astronomical. (lower back, gluts, hams, core,..ect) The advantage with squats vs lunges with building muscle is that you just can't move enough weight with lunges. It does not matter if you are training to become huge or training to add some thickness, you must have enough weight to challenge the muscles and as you add weight you are not going to be able to do a lunge in correct form without risking injury. Overcome the fear of Squats and use the lunges to sculpt the Hams/Glutes.

Found/bump...


I wanted to lump all these together for the awesomeness within. I rarely see people doing lunges but every other accessory movement... IME lunges are the 2nd best leg exercise to squats.

[flat6nut]

Old thread but never too many topcs about legs. If you are not beating the **** out of your legs, you really should not be here. I love squats and have come along way with them...but I feel I get more size from heavy high rep leg presses. I also do walking barbell lunges...heavy. We have a shorty bb thats great for walking thru the gym. Hell, even stading bb lunges are nice...but these seem to work more on the ass than quads. Hacks kill my knees.

[zedx]

BTW squats are a posterior chain exercise... I learned that lingo here from BIGTALLOX. Google that in images. And lunges are for shape and like others have said you won't be doing heavy weights with them.

I can always tell when someone is trying to think their way out of doing squats because I used to do it also. I'm pretty sure I made every excuse not to do squats in the book. Even after I first started to do them I made excuses why I should quit.

When I first started my lower back would basically feel like it 'went out.' I kinda limped around for awhile until it healed. It did this a few times before it stopped doing it.

If you want to do something right look it up in youtube. There are plenty of experienced people gladly making videos to share their secrets.

When I started I used 115 and it felt heavy. About a year later I do 225 for a couple reps deep.

Do squats religiously. You will soon realize as you look around the gym while you are in your squat area, that only handful of people do squats. You want to be part of this group trust me.

[goranothos]

I've never been real comfortable with doing squats. It appears that squats are king when it comes to getting good results for your legs.

I think you answered your own question.

[JerryB]

Ok, first of all, I'm not training to become huge(not possible genetically anyway). I would like some additional muscle and definition in my legs and lunges have always been part of my training. I've never been real comfortable with doing squats, although lately I have considered using the Smith machine for starters.

It appears that squats are king when it comes to getting good results for your legs but my question is this: Can lunges do the job as well as squats? I would be interested to hear everyone's opinion on these two exercises and hear what everyone thinks.

Thanks in advance...
Greg

The short answer is no.

[crupiea]

posting in a 4 year old thread. heck yeah!!

[whatevergirl]

Just started doing squats about two months ago, as I have a disk herniation in my neck, and squats have been known to aggravate it. But, seems to be working itself out, now. (the neck issue & squats)

I also do lunges. I do both on leg day, now. There's benefits to both, I think.

[vintage90]

No single exercise should be in your work out for to long, I suggest starting with a set on the leg press at a light weight to get deep stretches then either do weighted lunges or squats. Not in the same workout out though, switch them in and out of your work out for the other one about every 8 weeks. Take the benefits from both but you will get none by doing both and over training or sticking with the same workout for to long.

[Marius_Ursus]

So 4.5 years later I wonder if the OP managed to avoid getting huge.

[BC02]

imo lunges are better for running, while squats are better for jumping. Doing both is optimal though. I see way to many people going waaaaay too light on lunges(pretty much any healthy male should be strong enough to use the 50s after just a few months of training)

[mtpockets]

Hip belt squats, no load on the spine.

[2nd_chance]

Ok, first of all, I'm not training to become huge(not possible genetically anyway). I would like some additional muscle and definition in my legs and lunges have always been part of my training. I've never been real comfortable with doing squats, although lately I have considered using the Smith machine for starters.

It appears that squats are king when it comes to getting good results for your legs but my question is this: Can lunges do the job as well as squats? I would be interested to hear everyone's opinion on these two exercises and hear what everyone thinks.

Thanks in advance...
Greg

My only question: after 5 years since this post, did the OP accidentally get huge?

[Marius_Ursus]

So 4.5 years later I wonder if the OP managed to avoid getting huge.

My only question: after 5 years since this post, did the OP accidentally get huge?

Haha!

[chodan9]

that sucks
walking around minding your own business and then BAM!!!
you're huge

[bassing68]

Squats do something else which I can't quite put a finger on - I've heard talk about them affecting metabolism, etc. - that when I do them I find my entire body grows; my upper body grows faster, more noticeably, than if I had skipped them.

Releases testestrone for one

[JRT6]

Testosterone raising after squating has been found to be very brief.

[jrctherake]

that sucks
walking around minding your own business and then BAM!!!
you're huge

I had a similar problem.........well, kinda anyways.






I was laying around on couch watching tv, eating chips blah blah blah.......



















and BAM






















I got fat/weak for no reason what so ever. Just don't understand it.

[bassing68]

Testosterone raising after squating has been found to be very brief.

Brief is all u need

[Merkava]

Depends on your goals of course. I do elevated stationary lunges, split squats and dumbbell squats. Anyway, don't do anything you don't want. Always listen to yourself and ignore the idiots who think they know everything, or that everyone should have the same goals.. such as getting HUUGE. LOL.

[retro36]

Just started doing squats about two months ago, as I have a disk herniation in my neck, and squats have been known to aggravate it. But, seems to be working itself out, now. (the neck issue & squats)

I also do lunges. I do both on leg day, now. There's benefits to both, I think.

I used to soft contact Taekwondo when I was younger and I recommend the stretching excises as a warm up before you so leg work. As they are designed to improve limb flexibility.

/watch?v=zisnttKPGNw

[Zoosh]

I do the leg-press and can rep 450 lbs 3 sets. I tried the squats today and could only do 135 lbs. The bar killed my shoulders and was not comfortable at all. I did not have a spotter but I can honestly say that I will NEVER get to the 450 mark with squats - with or without a spotter!

I have heard that squats are the best for overall core training though.

:: not to derail but...:: the one thing my doc told me NOT to do was squat. Some mish mash about a bad disc congenitally smaller in mid thoracic causing lots of unpleasantness. Soo, I immediately went to the gymn and began squatting only the bar. I started adding a few %pts. a week or two and now I have a pretty decent weight on the bar and I'm enjoying the progress in my entire body. Oh and the doc has given me the ok. Seems by going so slowly ( albeit for fear of getting caught ..by my wife ) my back strengthened and has compensated for the deficiency. Don't do what I did..stupid stupid man , BUT don't sell yourself short on what you can accomplish either. BBing is a long haul -no silver bullets of physical excellency. Just crappy hard work. You might find you could out squat your press in a year if you simply added a little at a time and if you don't? Who cares as long as you are enjoying what you are doing and seeing results. ::back to regular programming::

[nexgensupps]

I need to find someone to workout with me who can help me with my form. I watch myself in the mirror, and I'll be damned if I can tell what I am doing wrong.

Put a bench behind you. Just enough that your ass checks touch the edge. Now hands on your hips. Yes just your hands. Now sit down properly...no not just flopping down, but in a nice controlled manor, bend at the knees, back straight. That is the proper way. Now once you are comfortable with that, do it with just a bar...keep the bench behind you. Once you are comfortable with the bar then move up in weight. Stop looking at yourself in the mirror. Head up and eyes towards the ceiling.

[ChristopherNV]

In on zombie thread.

Deadlifts are a reasonable alternative to squats, however, squats are awesome, start light until your comfortable and get your form right. Lunges are f'ing medieval, they make me curl up into a fetal position and cry.

[offcakes]

pm sent op.