Exercise

Dumbbell Lunges

Also known as: db lunges, static lunge dumbbell, forward lunge dumbbell

Dumbbell Lunges — position 1Dumbbell Lunges — position 2

Dumbbell Lunges is a compound exercise for the quadriceps and glutes. Main target: vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and gluteus maximus. Also works: medial gastrocnemius and biceps femoris. Equipment: dumbbell.

EquipmentDumbbell
TypeCompound (multi-joint)
MovementPush
CategoryStrength

Muscles worked

How to do it

  1. Stand with your torso upright holding two dumbbells in your hands by your sides. This will be your starting position.
  2. Step forward with your right leg around 2 feet or so from the foot being left stationary behind and lower your upper body down, while keeping the torso upright and maintaining balance. Inhale as you go down. Note: As in the other exercises, do not allow your knee to go forward beyond your toes as you come down, as this will put undue stress on the knee joint. Make sure that you keep your front shin perpendicular to the ground.
  3. Using mainly the heel of your foot, push up and go back to the starting position as you exhale.
  4. Repeat the movement for the recommended amount of repetitions and then perform with the left leg.

Common mistakes

  • The front knee caving inward.
  • Too short a step — the knee travels far past the toes and loads the knee.

Tips

  • Drop straight down until the back knee almost touches the floor.

Used in these programs

3-Day Full Body Workout for Beginners

The whole body in every session, three times a week, three different days. Simple free-weight and machine exercises.

Beginner · 3 times a week · Gym
2-Day Full Body Workout

Two full-body sessions a week for when time is short. Compound lifts and a few more sets each.

Beginner · 2 times a week · Gym
Gym Fat Loss Plan: Strength Circuits + Cardio

Three sessions a week: a full-body strength circuit and 15–20 minutes of cardio at the end. Keeps muscle while fat comes off.

Beginner · 3 times a week · Gym
Dumbbell-Only Full Body Workout

A pair of dumbbells and a mat: three full-body sessions a week — squats, presses, rows and Romanian deadlifts.

Beginner · 3 times a week · Home

Similar exercises

Dumbbell Squat
Dumbbell
Vastus lateralisVastus medialisGluteus maximus
Dumbbell Rear Lunge
Dumbbell
Vastus lateralisVastus medialisGluteus maximus
Dumbbell Squat To A Bench
Dumbbell
Vastus lateralisVastus medialisGluteus maximus
Dumbbell Seated Box Jump
Dumbbell
Vastus lateralisVastus medialisGluteus maximus
Split Squat with Dumbbells
Dumbbell
Gluteus maximusVastus medialis
Dumbbell Step Ups
Dumbbell
Gluteus maximusVastus lateralis

Alternatives with other equipment

Freehand Jump Squat
Bodyweight
Vastus lateralisVastus medialisGluteus maximus
Squats - With Bands
Bands
Vastus lateralisVastus medialisGluteus maximus
Barbell Lunge
Barbell
Vastus lateralisVastus medialisGluteus maximus
Cable Deadlifts
Cable
Vastus lateralisVastus medialisGluteus maximus
Kettlebell Pistol Squat
Kettlebell
Vastus medialisVastus lateralisGluteus maximus
Leverage Deadlift
Machine
Vastus lateralisVastus medialisGluteus maximus
Add to a workout in LiftChat
LiftChat builds a program around it, suggests weights and sets, and tracks your progress. Free.