Step-ups vs. Lunges

A

Alexis52

Cathlete
Some days, I am a major spaz-attack when I do lunges. Maybe because my glasses slip and I'm off balance. I dunno. My question is, on those spazy days, could step-ups be substituted for lunges? Am I hitting the same muscle group in the same way? Thanks, Alexis
 
Step ups are a great substitute for lunges but they don't hit the muscles in the same way; which is why so many of Cathe's tapes include both in them. Go ahead and skip lunges if you are feeling to spazy to do them.
 
Jeez, I don't really have any advice here, but I gotta tell you, this post made me laugh out loud!!! I just picture you Alexis, hobbling to and fro trying to keep your spectacles on. I dunno. It was just hilarious.:):):)

Be careful and don't get too "spazy" (is that a word?)

Janice
 
Oh, maybe I do have advice!!!

You could try rear lunges. Typically I am much stronger and much more balanced on those.....
 
Good suggestion naughtoj. Your name always makes me think of an empty glass of orange juice. Or maybe a glass of orange juice with a shot of vodka in it, to make it naughty. Why don't I just shutup? OK, you're right, I think I will.
 
Gee Janice, so glad I could make your day! I do stand-up too. But really, it's not funny....it's pathetic! I get sweaty, the glasses slip and I'm trying to push them back up with a barbell across my shoulders. And no....I am not wearing that dorky elastic thingy to hold them up! :) Alexis
 
I don't know a lot about human anatomy, but it seems to me that both my glutes and my quads get quite a workout with both exercises. In any event, I know that I can't seem to do leg presses followed by lunges. I'm back on the pyramid workouts again now, and PLB starts with step-ups and goes right into lunges. I can't do it that way. Instead, I tack the step-ups onto the day when I do the stability ball work. So I have one day when I do all the standing exercises except for step-ups, and another day when I start with step-ups and then do the floor work. I'm not sure if the workouts are as effective this way, but at least I get everything in.

As for you Alexis, although I think the exercises are quite similar, I do think you should practice your form on lunges until you get them right. I used to be off balance a lot, but haven't had that problem in a long time. Try to notice if you are spreading your legs too far. Try bringing them in a little closer to each other. Also, try using dumbbells instead of the barbell and see if they make you feel more in control.

As for your glasses, I'm at a loss. Mine don't slip at all when I'm doing lunges. Are you sweating from the cardio part of your workout?
-Nancy
 
Nancy, I'm not sweating, I just have glasses that slip in general. Some days I'm lookin like a pro doing lunges, and other days, well it's spaz-attack. But you have a good point. I'll check to see if the lunge is too wide and that my feet aren't on the same plane. Good news though. My husband walked in behind me as I was doing squats and said, "Nice butt." I'll cherish that memory....:) Alexis
 
Another way to help yourself with balance on a lunge is to support your back foot (heel) against a wall.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top