Any value to lunges?

[RealtorinCT]

Does anyone do lunges with some decent weight on the bar like 95+ pounds and is there any benefit to doing this?

[GreekGod69]

Does anyone do lunges with some decent weight on the bar like 95+ pounds and is there any benefit to doing this?

ofc there are benefits to lunging. its like squatting but with one leg...

[LunaLifts]

I do lunges, they're a unilateral compound lower body move, naturally that's a good thing. Great for hitting glutes.

[RealtorinCT]

I struggle with squatting so I'm looking for a supplement to that. I am still squatting but I'm only working with about 65 pounds right now which I don't feel is going to be enough to build muscle.

[itsagoodday]

Lunges are a great accessory movement after squatting.

I struggle with squatting so I'm looking for a supplement to that. I am still squatting but I'm only working with about 65 pounds right now which I don't feel is going to be enough to build muscle.

Wait, is lunging 95+ lbs your goal, or what you're doing currently? Because if you're squatting 65 lbs and lunging 95 lbs, something is tremendously wrong with the way you're squatting.

[RealtorinCT]

Yes I have issues squatting. I can't get it right. So I'm looking for alternatives.

[ironwill2008]

its like squatting but with one leg...

no..........just..............no.

Yes I have issues squatting. I can't get it right. So I'm looking for alternatives.

Exactly what is your issue when you attempt to squat?

[adamrandall2]

I struggle with squatting so I'm looking for a supplement to that. I am still squatting but I'm only working with about 65 pounds right now which I don't feel is going to be enough to build muscle.

I am the same, I can do lunges all day and enjoy the muscle burn they create (in moderation of course) Squats, most women can squat more than I can, my back ends up hurting even when people who know what they are talking about tell me I look like I am doing it properly

I have accepted it is just not a good exercise for me

[doctoremma]

Great for hitting glutes.

Agreed 100%. I can run after squatting. I can't run after lunges. It's like carrying solid rock around.

[LunaLifts]

Yes I have issues squatting. I can't get it right. So I'm looking for alternatives.

It's worth finding out the issue, an fixing it versus avoiding squats altogether. Not only are squats one of the best full body exercises you can do, but it could be an issue that carries over into other lifts.

I am the same, I can do lunges all day and enjoy the muscle burn they create (in moderation of course) Squats, most women can squat more than I can, my back ends up hurting even when people who know what they are talking about tell me I look like I am doing it properly

I have accepted it is just not a good exercise for me

Back pain could be something that needs to be treated by a chiro or PT, if it's happening frequently, and with other movements/lifts, I'd see a reputable chiro, or physical therapist to address it in case it becomes a severe issue.

If that's the only lift you have back pain with though, I'd question how well you're tightening your back, and core. You squat with your whole body, not just your legs.

[RealtorinCT]

I don't have back pain or any pain afterward. I'm just very weak and my form is horrible. I also have a heck of a time breaking parallel. I'm knock kneed and have s****osis and a deep bend in my back and my hips are all wrong. I continue to work on it but I don't struggle with any other lift so it's easy to be tempted to avoid something that makes me feel awful.

[mavd]

I don't have back pain or any pain afterward. I'm just very weak and my form is horrible. I also have a heck of a time breaking parallel. I'm knock kneed and have s****osis and a deep bend in my back and my hips are all wrong. I continue to work on it but I don't struggle with any other lift so it's easy to be tempted to avoid something that makes me feel awful.

Ah. S****osis. That explains why lunges are easier than squats, I'm the same way (45 degree curve). Try front squats, I get less hip sway and can get way lower with front squats.

[melDorado]

Yeh i used to do 135lb barbell lunges and my god they made my ass hurt
The only problem i was doing them for my quads
Then i fell over, was doing them outside the rack, was scary af. So do them in the rack.
Actually what i do now are reverse lunges in the smith. You can go super heavy in the smith without worrying about falling over

[blue9steel]

I do reverse lunges (less impact strain), currently at 4x4Ex146. It helps with a lot of the stabilizer muscles, glutes and builds knee strength.

[Luca2]

Should also mention that single-leg work is a great way of working adductors and the muscles in charge of abduction (glute medius and minimus) - certainly superior in this respect to the adductor/abductor machines found in most gyms, possibly outside of specific rehab settings.

[lazyaj]

Should also mention that single-leg work is a great way of working adductors and the muscles in charge of abduction (glute medius and minimus) - certainly superior in this respect to the adductor/abductor machines found in most gyms, possibly outside of specific rehab settings.

Not to derail - but the adductor machine is awesome for adding inner-thigh mass, if you are going heavy! Abductor I'm not so sure about. But adductor/abductor is definitely one of my favorite supersets.

Anyway on topic, recently I'm all about reverse lunges with the safety squat bar. I've done high bar reverse lunges before but I start getting temporary finger numbness from holding the bar - the ssb takes care of that.

[Luca2]

Not to derail - but the adductor machine is awesome for adding inner-thigh mass, if you are going heavy! Abductor I'm not so sure about. But adductor/abductor is definitely one of my favorite supersets.

I stand corrected! Another reminder to avoid discarding any exercise whole-sale.

That said, I am simply wary of the idea of training the adductors independently of the gluteal group responsible for abduction because of the risk of creating imbalances (apparently, the abductor machine does not train the gluteal group effectively due to the seated position; see here for example: https://www.t-nation.com/training/co...n-by-adduction and https://www.t-nation.com/training/4-...at-need-to-die).

[lSOFit]

I am a squat fanatic and never really did lunges, that is until someone recommend trying reverse lunges, my booty has never been more sore. Definitely a great leg day addition!

[AmandaLaughlin]

I love adding lunges into my leg day! They're a great glute burner and incorporating the unilateral movement has helped so much with my symmetry. I use the hip circle to warm up my hips, adductors, and glutes and that really worked wonders on my mobility and squat form.