Lunges harder than squats or is it me?

krhn

Don't know why but when I do the final reps of lunges my balance starts giving in and my legs become more twitchy and shaky than doing squats - even though both are difficult in the first place... Which would you say is harder? :huh:

Or it's because of fatigue as I hit lunges after 5 sets of squats... :sick:

RunHardBeStrong

Lol! I agree! I hate lunges but then it could be because I'm doing them after my squats...hhhhmmmm?

jacksonpt

I also do lunges after squats, so take it for what it's worth...

I think the stability strains are different. With squats, my feet are shoulder width apart and in line with each other, so it requires more of a front-to-back stabilizing. Lunges are just the opposite... stance very narrow (side to side), but one foot far in front of the other... so this requires much more side-to-side stabilizing.

Lunges also put all the strain on one leg...


Ultimately I think it has to do with which one challenges your weakness the most, so it's based on your ability and how heavy you are going.

.

kdiamond

I always do lunges after squats too. You're supposed to. And yeah they're tough but oh so good for you.

1ConcreteGirl

Totally depends on your personal areas of muscular strength or weakness.

carrieliz81

This is just a personal preference, but I think lunges are way easier than squats!!! But I have never been a fan of the squat, and I feel like I am never doing it right..... I'm probably just making excuses. Or I have a super weak butt. Dunno.

tabinmaine

I find lunges harder. They just completely fry my Quads.... with squats its more of a "whole lower body" fry....instead of just one particular muscle...

devil_in_a_blue_dress

Haaaaattttteeee lunges. Squats 4-eva.

Mrshunts

I hate lunges in general!!!! i still have quite a bit of weight on me, so its hard sometimes. squats are my BFF, we can rock it out all day lol

tatd_820

Agree. I do squats first with lunges following. Lunges have always been tough for me. That leg gets to burning!

SherryR1971

I would much rather do squats than lunges!!

krhn

I also do lunges after squats, so take it for what it's worth...

I think the stability strains are different. With squats, my feet are shoulder width apart and in line with each other, so it requires more of a front-to-back stabilizing. Lunges are just the opposite... stance very narrow (side to side), but one foot far in front of the other... so this requires much more side-to-side stabilizing.

Lunges also put all the strain on one leg...


Ultimately I think it has to do with which one challenges your weakness the most, so it's based on your ability and how heavy you are going.

.

Lol for my last set of lunges, I sort of fail with proper form, all shaky and stuff - my poor glutes ... :explode:

_SABOTEUR_

I find the centre of gravity for lunge is more difficult than squats. There's a side to side wobble risk as well as a back and forward wobble risk.

FitPhysique

I strongly dislikes lunges. They are so much harder than squats and it doesn't matter if I do them before r after. When I am done doing them I feel so much better though.

bcf7683

I do lunges on the Smith (about the only thing I use that stupid thing for). I do squats, leg extension, leg press, dead lift, leg curl, then lunges. On my last set I usually feel like diving off a cliff.

koing

Squats are harder if you use more weight. You can't really lunge with a lot of weight safely.

Koing

HIITMe

I noticed that since I started doing compound weight lifting, lunges have gotten easier for me... Im thinking its a balance thing...and now that I have better inner core stregnth, lunges are easier... I still dont like them but they are easier

j75j75

Depends, what style of lunges and squats are you doing?

grantdumas7

I hardly ever lunge with a barbell but when I do I find them more difficult than squats. If I do lunges, I usually do them with dumbbells or smith machine.

chrisshouse

I never feel squats in my butt only my quads & hamstrings. I'm not sure I'm doing it right. My trainer made me take my shoes off once cause she said I raise my heels. Can someone give me the proper technique for squats?

To the OP: My quads kill after lunges, but not in my butt or hamstrings. But what really has gotten me lately was box jumps. Oh vey....

strikerjb007

For me, squatting is easy. Lunging... mmm, not so much. I guess it depends on the person. Try doing back and forward alternating lunges. Those are HARD.

krhn

Then you see bodybuilders like Ronnie Coleman do deep lunges like nothing :noway: *end of the set, shrugs the barbells crashing down to the ground* BEAST :smokin:

krhn

For me, squatting is easy. Lunging... mmm, not so much. I guess it depends on the person. Try doing back and forward alternating lunges. Those are HARD.

I do alternating variant ... I use light weights and feel the legs begin to cramp up within the first set :laugh:

jacksonpt

Then you see bodybuilders like Ronnie Coleman do deep lunges like nothing :noway: *end of the set, shrugs the barbells crashing down to the ground* BEAST :smokin:

I've been doing lunges with dumbbells in each hand, but they are getting too heavy... I need to move ot barbell lunges soon...

krhn

I never feel squats in my butt only my quads & hamstrings. I'm not sure I'm doing it right. My trainer made me take my shoes off once cause she said I raise my heels. Can someone give me the proper technique for squats?

To the OP: My quads kill after lunges, but not in my butt or hamstrings. But what really has gotten me lately was box jumps. Oh vey....

If you are doing lunges you may feel more glutes by doing a huge step(hence the word lunge) forward then bend all the way down till the leading knee touches the ground or there about

jacksonpt

I never feel squats in my butt only my quads & hamstrings. I'm not sure I'm doing it right. My trainer made me take my shoes off once cause she said I raise my heels. Can someone give me the proper technique for squats?

To the OP: My quads kill after lunges, but not in my butt or hamstrings. But what really has gotten me lately was box jumps. Oh vey....

If you are doing lunges you may feel more glutes by doing a huge step(hence the word lunge) forward then bend all the way down till the leading knee touches the ground or there about

Same for me. If I'm not feeling it in my hammies/butt, it's generally because my stride/lunge is too short, usually because I'm cheating due to fatigue.

krhn

I've been doing lunges with dumbbells in each hand, but they are getting too heavy... I need to move ot barbell lunges soon...

I don't like weights crushing down on the body... In my own weird mind I believe that weight is destroying all my muscle gains and bone!

JLPaige

I hate lunges

FJcntdwn2sknyluv

I can squat all day.. but lunges I suck at.. unless I lunge on an incline of some sort.. so yes to me lunges are WAY harder LOL ...good luck tho

junejadesky

It depends, but as a yoga instructor I teach students how to "plug in" the leg to the hip joint... and that helps in those times of weakness.... much easier said than done....

Skinny_minny_mo

i lose my balance with lunges too after awhile!