Dumbbell Squat vs Cross Lunge

Maximizing Your Leg Workout Plan

Contents

Dumbbell Squat is the easier place to start — difficulty 2 of 5 vs 3. Compare Leg form cues and when to progress.

Customize Your Leg Workout: Explore the Benefits of Dumbbell Squat and Cross Lunge for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Dumbbell Squat vs Cross Lunge : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Dumbbell Squat more often — 2,366 sessions compared to 2,196 for Cross Lunge.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Dumbbell Squat and Cross Lunge differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Dumbbell Squat and Cross Lunge Differ

What differsDumbbell SquatCross Lunge
Muscles workedquads, hamstrings, and glutesquads, glutes, and outer thighs
Equipmenta dumbbellbodyweight only
One side at a timeNoYes
Difficulty2 of 53 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users2,366 sessions2,196 sessions

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How to Dumbbell Squat

Dumbbell Squat gif

Dumbbell Squat muscles worked: Leg

Form

  1. 1. Tighten your abdomen and keep your waist straight, then bend at the hip to lower your buttocks down.
  2. 2. Allow your knees to bend naturally until your thighs are parallel to the ground.
  3. 3. Push strongly through the center of your feet to rise up.
  4. 4. As your buttocks rise, straighten your knees and hips in sequence, returning to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  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.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Dumbbell Squat, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Dumbbell Squat Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Dumbbell Squat methods?Exercise Guide

How to Cross Lunge

Cross Lunge gif

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 Comment

  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.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Cross Lunge, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Cross Lunge Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Cross Lunge methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Leg, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

Do Dumbbell Squat and Cross Lunge work the same muscles?

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

What equipment do Dumbbell Squat and Cross Lunge need?

Dumbbell Squat needs a dumbbell, and Cross Lunge needs bodyweight only.

Which is easier to start with?

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

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