Lunges

[Sandy]

Do forward versus reverse lunges work the muscles any differently?

I want to use the cage with the safety bars now that I am using a heavier weight for reverse lunges, but there isn't enough length in the cage. Can I sub. forward lunges with the same benefits?

Thanks.

[Inatic]

im able to do mine in the cage and i've done them in the rack.

[Sandy]

im able to do mine in the cage and i've done them in the rack.

Hmm...I tried a few times in the cage and only had enough room for the forward lunge. I will have to try the rack.

[Inatic]

move more foward to where the bar is racked. If you have room to lunge forward, you should be able to lunge backward?

[lissaheiser]

What does each do? What would the difference be doing reverse vs forward?

[Erik]

Hmm...I tried a few times in the cage and only had enough room for the forward lunge. I will have to try the rack.

Shouldn't the stride length be about the same? Perhaps even a bit less in a reverse lunge?

[Sandy]

Shouldn't the stride length be about the same? Perhaps even a bit less in a reverse lunge?

You would think that.

I will try again.

What is the difference between a forward and reverse lunge in terms of emphasis on particular muscles?

[Neely]

Both forward and reverse lunges are quad exercises. In either one, you can change the emphasis a little with your stride length (longer strides incorporate more glute). But essentially, they're the same thing.

[Anca]

Both forward and reverse lunges are quad exercises. In either one, you can change the emphasis a little with your stride length (longer strides incorporate more glute). But essentially, they're the same thing.

They are? I always thought I was supposed to push through my heel and squeeze my hams and glutes. I thought only short-stride lunges work the quads. But then again I did make Erik's "crazy client list" with my version of the squats with feet elevated- so who am I to have an opinion! :funny:

[Neely]

They are? I always thought I was supposed to push through my heel and squeeze my hams and glutes. I thought only short-stride lunges work the quads. But then again I did make Erik's "crazy client list" with my version of the squats with feet elevated- so who am I to have an opinion! :funny:

I should have said they're a quad dominant exercise. There IS some ham involvement, but the main stress is put on the quads.

Shorter strides will keep the main stresses on the quads. The more you lengthen the stride, the more the glutes and hams become involved. Kinda like differing your foot placements on a leg press, for example. If you keep your feet lower on the platform (akin to a short stride lunge) then the more involved the quads are. The higher you put your feet on the platform (akin to a longer stride lunge) the more the hams and glutes are involved.

When it comes to a lot of lower body exercises, small changes can vary the main emphasis.