Walking Lunge vs Zercher Squat

Which one fits your Leg workout plan?

Contents

Planfit users log Walking Lunge more often — 474 sessions vs 21. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Compare the benefits of Walking Lunge and Zercher Squat and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.

Walking Lunge vs Zercher Squat: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Walking Lunge more often — 474 sessions compared to 21 for Zercher Squat.

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

How Walking Lunge and Zercher Squat Differ

What differsWalking LungeZercher Squat
Equipmentbodyweight onlya barbell
Difficulty2 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users474 sessions21 sessions

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How to Do Walking Lunge

Walking Lunge demo video

Walking Lunge Muscles Worked: Leg

Form

  1. 1. Step forward with one foot and lower yourself until the angle of both knees is 90 degrees.
  2. 2. Keep your chest open and your back straight as you return to the starting position.
  3. 3. Extend the opposite leg forward and proceed in the same manner.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. Please be careful not to lean your upper body forward.
  2. 2. When bending your knees, please ensure that the knee of the foot you step forward with does not go beyond the foot.
  3. 3. Please make sure that your center of gravity does not lean too far forward.

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

Want to learn more about Walking Lunge?Exercise Guide

How to Do Zercher Squat

Zercher Squat demo video

Zercher Squat Muscles Worked: Leg

Form

  1. 1. Tighten your abdomen and keep your waist straight, then bend at the hip joint to lower your hips down.
  2. 2. Naturally bend your knees and lower yourself 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 hips rise, straighten your knees and hip joints 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 Zercher Squat guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Zercher Squat exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Zercher Squat?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Leg, Walking Lunge or Zercher Squat?

Planfit users log Walking Lunge more often — 474 sessions against 21 for Zercher Squat. Both train Leg, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

What equipment do Walking Lunge and Zercher Squat need?

Walking Lunge needs bodyweight only, and Zercher Squat needs a barbell.

Which is easier to start with?

Walking Lunge is the easier place to start. Move to Zercher Squat once your form holds up.

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