Barbell Lunge vs Side Lunge
Maximizing Your Leg Workout Plan
Contents
Side Lunge is the easier place to start — difficulty 2 of 5 vs 4. Compare Leg form cues and when to progress.
Customize Your Leg Workout: Explore the Benefits of Barbell Lunge and Side Lunge for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Barbell Lunge vs Side Lunge : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Side Lunge more often — 2,121 sessions compared to 1,367 for Barbell Lunge.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Barbell Lunge and Side Lunge differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How to Barbell Lunge
Barbell Lunge muscles worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Step one foot forward and lower yourself until the angle of both knees is 90 degrees.
- 2. Keep your chest open and your back straight as you return to the starting position.
- 3. Switch legs and perform the same on the opposite side.
- 4. Proceed one side at a time or alternate between sides.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to lean your upper body forward.
- 2. When bending your knees, please make sure that the knee of the foot you step forward with does not go beyond the foot.
- 3. Please ensure that your center of gravity does not lean too far forward.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Barbell Lunge, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Lunge Guide page of our blog!
How to Side Lunge
Side Lunge muscles worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Move one foot to the side and shift your weight.
- 2. Bend the knee of the moved leg and keep the opposite leg straight.
- 3. Apply pressure to the center of the bent knee and slowly rise back to the starting position.
- 4. Repeat the same on the opposite side.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to lean your upper body forward.
- 2. Please make sure that your center of gravity does not shift too much to the side.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Side Lunge, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Side Lunge Guide page of our blog!
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