Lunges

cutegirl87 · 03-Aug-04, 10:55 PM

Just wondering about lunges. I noticed how on here I never really see anyone say they do lunges. Its always squats. I assume squats are a lot more effective but I wasnt sure. Ive done squats a few times but just not using heavy weights. Ive done lunges quite a few times over the years but just not for a while. Anyways they seem to be pretty effective. I can really feel how it worked my legs and butt. My legs ached so much it hurt walking up the stairs so I would think people would do lunges more often. When I did squats my legs felt nothing like they did when I did lunges but that probably had to do with me not using the heavy of weights. For the lunges I just used 5lb weights because that is all I have right now..of course they can be done without weights. The only thing about lunges is they seem to give my knees a little bit of a problem, but not too bad. I already have some problems with my knees but I really would like to continue doing the lunges because they really seem to work my legs and butt good. I thought I was going to have access to a weight bench this month, but Im not (probably next month)..or else I would probably just concentrate on squats..or maybe do some squats and lunges. Right now Im doing step aerobics, this strength training machine I have, and I just thought I would add lunges. Just wanted to know what your opinions were on lunges or how they are in comparison to squats.

jason1234 · 04-Aug-04, 12:50 AM

Lunges do work your legs, but and other small muscle groups very well. I like doing lunges after doing squats, its a good workout for your legs. If I had a knee problem, I would not do lunges, mainly becasue for me, they put strain on your knees, and thats not what you need when recovering from an injury. If you wanted to see all the muscle groups lunges works check out this page.

http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...s/DBLunge.html

Good Luck
Jason

cutegirl87 · 04-Aug-04, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason1234

Lunges do work your legs, but and other small muscle groups very well. I like doing lunges after doing squats, its a good workout for your legs. If I had a knee problem, I would not do lunges, mainly becasue for me, they put strain on your knees, and thats not what you need when recovering from an injury. If you wanted to see all the muscle groups lunges works check out this page.

http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...s/DBLunge.html

Good Luck
Jason

Ok thanks. I actually have that website bookmarked so I already saw the exercise, but I didnt pay attention to all the muscles that it actually works so I will take a look at it. I never really had an injury but I have some problems with my back, so that effects my knees I assume. I am going to go ahead and do lunges but if I start getting too many problems with my knees I probably wont continue. How many lunges is good to do? I actually did 24 each leg, maybe that is too much..Im not sure. I guess maybe just doing about 24 all together would be fine. :confused:

MrsRiley · 04-Aug-04, 11:23 AM

I do lunges occassionally but they are very uncomfy for my knees and I don't have knee probs so I agree don't do um if you have knee probs. I do hip extensions and flexions and they seem to do the same thing but don't hurt my knees at all. I'm not sure if they are just as good as lunges but knees are not something you wanna screw up so I'd rather hafta work harder than risk it.

cutegirl87 · 04-Aug-04, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsRiley

I do lunges occassionally but they are very uncomfy for my knees and I don't have knee probs so I agree don't do um if you have knee probs. I do hip extensions and flexions and they seem to do the same thing but don't hurt my knees at all. I'm not sure if they are just as good as lunges but knees are not something you wanna screw up so I'd rather hafta work harder than risk it.

Maybe I can do the hip extensions and flexions but right now I dont have access to the right machines for that so that is why the lunges work for me and my main concern is working my legs. A while back when I did lunges my knees hurt worse because I wasnt doing them exactly right but according to what Ive read if you do them correctly they shouldnt put strain on the knees. I think the other week I did less lunges and my knees didn't really give me a problem, but like the other day I did 24 lunges each leg and now my knees are aching more than usual... so maybe I will be ok if I just dont do as many.

**Lady C** · 04-Aug-04, 11:42 AM

I just prefer squats. They work the same muscles depending on how you position your feet. I can squat much heavier than I can lunge. I too want to save the knees and lunges make them hurt.

cutegirl87 · 04-Aug-04, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady C

I just prefer squats. They work the same muscles depending on how you position your feet. I can squat much heavier than I can lunge. I too want to save the knees and lunges make them hurt.

I would probably be doing just squats if I had a barbell and weights but I dont right now. Ive done some squats before without weights but I assume they are really not worth doing unless you have a barbell, or are they still pretty effective with no weights or say just holding small dumbbells in your hands while doing them? I did them a few weeks ago and I was sweating a lot and I could feel it working, but the lunges seem to work my legs more so that is why I would prefer lunges..well until I get access to a weight bench.

**Lady C** · 04-Aug-04, 09:09 PM

I did dumbbell squats until I outgrew the 40 lbs (80lbs total). I am squatting around 110-120 lbs total now. If you only have lighter ones say 20 lbs do 20 reps. If you can do 3 set of 20 and walk the next day then you are stronger than I am.

The down side to dumbbells is my hands die from holding them before my legs wear out.

Leselberry · 04-Aug-04, 10:01 PM

I like squats better too, but I like to do walking lunges to change things up a bit. In fact, yesterday I did 3 sets and my butt and inner thighs are screaming today. I don't do them that often because I do find they are hard on the knees.

Axion · 06-Aug-04, 02:14 AM

lunges are an excellent exersize, and if I'm not mistaken they work your hamstrings a bit more then squats do.

The only reason i don't do them is because after squats my quads don't have enough left in them to really lunge all that well.

**Firehawk** · 10-Aug-04, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady C

I did dumbbell squats until I outgrew the 40 lbs (80lbs total). I am squatting around 110-120 lbs total now. If you only have lighter ones say 20 lbs do 20 reps. If you can do 3 set of 20 and walk the next day then you are stronger than I am.

The down side to dumbbells is my hands die from holding them before my legs wear out.

I could never imagine doing a deep squat 20 times in one set. LOL that is crazy.

IF YOU CAN DO IT 20 TIMES, YOU ARE STRONGER THAN ME TOO LMAO and IM A GUY!!!!!!!!

cutegirl87 · 11-Aug-04, 02:47 PM

I was wondering about that too......i was like "um ok"

**Lady C** · 11-Aug-04, 05:56 PM

I'm saying there is more than one way to acheive your goals! Have you ever tried 20 rep deep squats? Do it and you will see what I mean (especially the next day).