Dumbbell Lunge

Auto-detected exercise indicatorAuto Detected
Beginner
Home Friendly

Dumbbell lunge that targets quads, glutes, and hamstrings to build lower-body strength, balance, and functional power; commonly alternated between legs for unilateral training.

About Exercise

Equipment

Dumbbells

Difficulty

3/5 • Beginner

Primary Muscle Groups

Quads, Glutes

Secondary Muscles

Abs, Calves

Popularity Score

9

Goals

Strength
Hypertrophy
Conditioning

Training Style

Functional Training

Setup Requirements

Requires Rack

No

Requires Bench

No

Requires Spotter

No

Space Needed

Medium

Noise Level

Low

Muscle Breakdown

Quads

9/10

Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Vastus Medialis

Glutes

8/10

Glute Max

Hamstrings

6/10

Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus

Abs

5/10

Rectus Abdominis

Calves

4/10

Soleus

Programming

Typical Rep Range

8-15 reps

Rest Between Sets

60-90 seconds

How to Perform

Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand at your sides with palms facing thighs. Engage core and look forward.

  1. Inhale and step forward with one foot, landing heel first.
  2. Bend both knees to lower hips until front thigh is parallel to ground and back knee hovers above floor.
  3. Keep front knee over ankle and torso upright.
  4. Exhale and push through front heel to extend knees and return to start.
  5. Bring front foot back to meet rear foot.
  6. Alternate legs for subsequent reps.

Coaching Tips

Form Cues

  • Knees track over toes
  • Core tight, chest up
  • Push through front heel
  • Step in line with hips
  • Maintain upright torso

Breathing

Inhale during descent into lunge; exhale as you push back to standing while bracing core.

Tempo

2-0-2

Range of Motion

Lower until front thigh is parallel to floor with front knee at 90 degrees; back knee hovers just off ground without front knee passing toes.

Safety

Safety Notes

  • Avoid if acute knee or hip pain present
  • Use lighter weights if balance issues
  • Consult professional for pre-existing joint conditions
  • Maintain neutral spine to prevent back strain
  • Start with bodyweight if beginner

Spotting

Spotting not typically required; assist by stabilizing torso if needed for heavy sets, or use safety bars in rack for walking variation.

Common Mistakes

  • Knee caving inward
  • Leaning forward excessively
  • Front knee past toes
  • Uneven step length
  • Poor balance from rushing

When to Avoid

  • Acute knee injuries
  • Hip instability
  • Ankle sprains
  • Pelvic issues

Flexibility Needed

  • Adequate ankle dorsiflexion for knee over toe
  • Hip flexion mobility for deep lunge

Build Up First

  • Master bodyweight lunge form
  • Basic balance and coordination
  • Hip hinge proficiency

Also known as

DB Lunge, Dumbbell Forward Lunge, Weighted Stepping Lunge

Found this helpful?

Share your thoughts or help us improve this guide.

Hero Image

Master your movement.

Experience automatic exercise detection and rep counting - powered by the motion of your Apple Watch.

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalized content, and analyze our traffic. By clicking 'Accept All', you consent to our use of cookies.