If you’ve ever worked out, you’re probably familiar with lunges. They’re a great way to strengthen your entire leg – glutes, hamstrings, and quads – and are convenient to do just about anywhere. However, they can get tedious, so that’s why we’ve shared a collection of lunge variations to help switch up your next workout. This includes:
- Walking Lunge
- Lunge With Stability Ball
- Bulgarian Lunge
- Curtsy Lunge
In the rest of this article, we’ll explain each exercise in more detail so you can do them with confidence. You’ll need a stability ball and a step stool for two of the exercises – choose one that allows you to bend both knees at a right angle when you come into a lunge position.
4 Lunge Variations For Strong, Toned Legs
Walking Lunge
Begin by standing upright with your feet hip-width apart and hands on your hips. Next, step forward with your right foot, resting the ball of your back foot on the ground. Bend both knees, creating right angles with both your front and back leg. Hold for one count, then push up and swing your left leg forward and through to step in front of your right foot to complete one rep.
Do 15 to 30 repeats.
Lunge With Stability Ball
Stand up straight and rest your right shin on a stability ball placed behind you. Straighten your right leg, then bend both knees, drawing the ball toward yourself. Hold for one count, then straighten both legs, pushing the ball out again to complete your first rep. Do 10 to 20 reps, then switch sides.
Bulgarian Lunge
Stand up straight and facing away from a stepstool, about two paces in front of it, then place the ball of your right foot on the stool. Slowly bend both knees until both legs form right angles, hold for one count, then press back up to the starting position to finish one rep. Do 10 to 20 reps, then repeat on the other side.
Curtsy Lunge
Stand up straight, feet shoulder width apart, and hands on your hips. Step behind yourself and a little to the outside of your right foot with your left foot and bend both knees until they form right angles. Hold for one count, then step back to the starting position to complete your first rep. Repeat on the other side to finish one set. Do 10 to 20 sets.
We hope this article gave you some helpful ideas for making your next leg day even more interesting and challenging! Be sure to stretch when you’re finished to aid speedy muscle recovery.