Okay let's admit it, we do not quite like leg days at the gym. And one of the most defamed leg workouts of all time are lunges; they truly give you a hard time. Nevertheless, the output of lunges makes this workout worth the pain. The best part about lunges is that it does not require any equipment, is incredibly safe and easy-to-learn. Lunges help you strengthen your lower body, increase core strength, muscle tissue and help you get the perfect buttocks you always hoped for.
Also read: The Best Butt Toning Exercises You Must Include In Your Fitness Regime
How to do a proper lunge?
It is important to practice lunges properly. Not doing so can put too much pressure on your joints and may result in an injury. Here's how you must do a proper lunge:
1. Stand straight, keep your upper body straight, shoulders relaxed and chin up.
2. Keep one leg forward, lower your hips till both knees are bent at a 90 degree angle. Make sure that your knee is in line with your ankles.
3. Make sure that the other knee does not touch the floor.
4. Keep your body weight on the heels.
5. Now switch feet and repeat the same.
Also read: Leg Exercises: Top Health Benefits Of Leg Exercises You Never Knew
Now that you know how a lunge should be practiced, let's take a closer look at the many benefits of this workout.
1. Core stability
A proper lunge posture can help you achieve a stronger and more stable core. This workout engages your core and abdominal muscles. It helps you build stability which when you move your hips up and down. A stronger core allows you deal with lower back pain and improves your balance and posture as well.
2. Better balance
Lunges train one part of your body independently from the other at a time. This can help you achieve proper body balance and coordination. The stabilization benefits achieved from lunges is much better than what you get from squats and deadlifts.
3. Strengthens legs and buttocks
Lunges are quite effective in terms of strengthening legs and buttocks. Lunges target large muscle groups of your lower body; this boosts your metabolism and helps you lose weight much faster. When this excess fat is removed, lunges work on the shape and strength of your lower body.
Also read: Workout Results: 7 Simple Things That Enhance Your Workout Results
4. Hip flexibility
Flexor muscles are usually ignored in other forms of workout. This and a sedentary lifestyle are the reasons why that part of your body tends to become tight. Lunges can help you make these parts of your body more flexible.
5. Better spinal health
While most exercises put load on your spine, lunges help in reducing that load; they give your spine a chance to relax. While working on other parts of your body, lunges take load off your spine, make it flexible and pain-free.
Also read: 6 Reasons Why Cardio Exercises Are Best For Weight Loss
6. Makes you more functional
A workout which makes you more functional is one which impacts your natural, every day movements. Lunges are one such exercise which makes you more functional.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
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