On Lunges What Leg Should I Feel It In?

S

SooFit

Cathlete
Hi Cathe!


Newbie to your tapes, DVD's and Forum. I really needed a push up to the next level and WOW did I find it in your tapes. Thank you so much for such great and serious workouts.

I have a question on lunges. I've never felt like I was doing this move correctly. Never had pain, it just always felt too easy or too much of a balance issue NOT a strength issue.

Was doing Power Hour tonight for the first time and was wondering which is the working leg? The front or the back? I Love this workout. It was a real killer in a good way. Just what I needed to get me to the next level. BUT on the lunges my back leg was killing me! All wobbly and weak. Should I be distributing the weight more on my front leg? Is that the one I'm supposed to be working? With a slight shift in position I can definately feel it more in my front leg, but I'm just not sure which one I'm supposed to be working. Thanks for any info you can give me on form.
 
Dear Soofit,

I am obviously not Cathe, but she might still be recouping from delivering her little bundle of joy--Kyle James--and may not be able to respond to you at this time.

I believe lunges are to be felt most in the gluteus and hamstring of the front leg. In order to feel it in that region, concentrate on pushing up through your front heel. Sometimes, I even raise my front toe a little off the ground in order to maintain the heel push.

You will also feel it in your quad of the back leg, but that should be secondary. Good luck. Others may have input on this for you also.

Cruncholi
 
Personally, I push my front leg up through the heel too, and feel it more in the quad and ham of my front leg. But the back leg feels a burn too (in the quad).

From what I understand, the weight should be distributed evenly between both legs (pushing straight up and down, shoulders back, back straight) - I avoid leaning too far ahead, or too far back.

Susan
 
Thanks Cruncholi and Susan,

I was really feeling it in the quads of my back leg and since I was expecting to feel it more in my front leg I was surprised by the intensity (shakey leg) that I felt in my back leg. I think when I was pushing up I was so worried about going beyond my front toe that maybe I was actually distributing more weight on the back leg.

Thanks for the form pointers! :D

SooFit
 
I always wondered about that myself. I am MAKING myself do lunges and I hate it! LOL! But it works. Its weird though...while I am doing them, I feel it in my quads. But the next day, my butt and hamstrings are sore. I am still a bit wobbly, but my technique is improving each time. This is an exercise you almost have to practice.

Kelly
 
I finally felt lunges properly when Cathe said the rear leg should be directly under the hip. If I focus on feeling my thigh come straight down from the hip as I lower I get it every time on the leg that is back. I have always felt the glute of the front leg and keeping it at 90 degrees is pretty easy. The back leg is trickier but her form pointer really did the trick for me!

Bobbi http://www.plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif Chick's Rule!
 
I dont know what's up with my form....when I do lunges I feel it in my big toe and calf of my back leg!!?? What's up with that???

Stacy
 
Hi Everyone,

I know this is an old thread. This is discussing forms and pointers therefore thought it was interesting.

To get the ball rolling for discussion, here is an article:

http://cathe.com/how-to-get-more-out-of-lunges

Has anyone got any variation they would like to share? One of the variation I have been incorporating in my
routine is Front lunge at 45 degree with Barbell. I felt in both legs. quads, hamstrings and glutes of front leg.
Back leg I felt on the upper part of my quads. This was burning big time. In fact that is what I was looking for.

Hope to hear from your tips;);)

Kind Regards,
 
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