Box Squat vs Cross Lunge

Which one fits your Leg workout plan?

Contents

Planfit users log Cross Lunge more often — 2,196 sessions vs 20. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Compare the benefits of Box Squat and Cross Lunge and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.

Box Squat vs Cross Lunge: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Cross Lunge more often — 2,196 sessions compared to 20 for Box Squat.

What most people do isn't always what fits you. Box Squat and Cross Lunge differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Box Squat and Cross Lunge Differ

What differsBox SquatCross Lunge
Muscles workedquads, hamstrings, and glutesquads, glutes, and outer thighs
Equipmenta barbellbodyweight only
One side at a timeNoYes
Difficulty5 of 53 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users20 sessions2,196 sessions

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How to Do Box Squat

Box Squat demo video

Box Squat Muscles Worked: Leg

Form

  1. 1. Tighten your abdomen and keep your waist straight, then bend at the hips to lower your buttocks down.
  2. 2. Sit down naturally until your knees bend and you touch the prepared object.
  3. 3. Stand up by pushing strongly through the center of your feet.
  4. 4. As your buttocks rise, straighten your knees and hips in sequence, and return to the starting position.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. Please be careful not to lean your upper body too far forward.
  2. 2. Keep your chest up and engage your core to avoid bending your waist.
  3. 3. Don't excessively bend your waist while trying to keep it straight.
  4. 4. Please do not stick your hips too far back.
  5. 5. Make sure your feet do not come off the ground.
  6. 6. When standing up, please ensure your knees do not come together.

For a full Box Squat guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Box Squat exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Box Squat?Exercise Guide

How to Do Cross Lunge

Cross Lunge demo video

Cross Lunge Muscles Worked: Leg

Form

  1. 1. Move one leg behind the other leg to cross the two legs while bending your knees.
  2. 2. Keep your upper body facing forward without turning.
  3. 3. Slowly return to the starting position.
  4. 4. Proceed one side at a time or alternately.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. Please be careful not to lean your upper body forward.
  2. 2. Please make sure that your center of gravity does not lean too far forward.

For a full Cross Lunge guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Cross Lunge exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Cross Lunge?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Leg, Box Squat or Cross Lunge?

Planfit users log Cross Lunge more often — 2,196 sessions against 20 for Box Squat. Both train Leg, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

Do Box Squat and Cross Lunge work the same muscles?

Not quite. Box Squat loads quads, hamstrings, and glutes, and Cross Lunge loads quads, glutes, and outer thighs.

What equipment do Box Squat and Cross Lunge need?

Box Squat needs a barbell, and Cross Lunge needs bodyweight only.

Which is easier to start with?

Cross Lunge is the easier place to start. Move to Box Squat once your form holds up.

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