Lunges

COURTESY OF GLOBAL FITNESS

Major muscles used

• Quadriceps
• Glutes
• Hamstrings

Performing lunges

• Hold a barbell behind your lower neck resting on the trapezius muscles.
• Your palms should be facing out and the barbell should be even across your shoulders.
• Step forward with your left foot about one foot. Step directly back with your right foot about six inches.
• With your upper body remaining straight and leaning slightly forward, slowly lower yourself down until your left leg is bent at a 90 degree angle, so you can still see your toes if you look down at them.
• Your right leg should also be bent at a 90 degree angle, with your lower leg (shin) parallel to the floor. The heel of your trailing foot (right foot) will raise, but your foot should remain in the same position.
• Stand up as far as possible with your feet still in the same position.
• Once your have completed a set, switch legs and repeat.

Be careful

• Don't let your front knee move farther forward than your toes. If this occurs it means your front foot is not placed far enough in front of your body--move your front foot an inch or two farther forward.

Alternative exercises to lunges

• Lunges with dumbbells
• Smith machine lunges
• One-legged leg press

Courtesy of Global-Fitness.com, your Online Personal Trainer

If you're having problems viewing these video demonstrations, you can download the latest version of QuickTime by clicking here, FREE of charge.

Latest health and fitness news

• Drinking tap water can make you fat
• 8 in 10 men will be overweight by 2020
• Swine flu could return to the UK with a bang
• Risks of breast cancer higher for skinny girls
• All women have an inbuilt fear of getting fat

Latest quizzes and tests

• Back & shoulder pain quiz
• Test your blood pressure knowledge
• Test your cancer basics knowledge
• Will you get diabetes?
• Do you have a healthy prostate?