Dumbbell Swing Lunge exercise demonstration image

Video Coming Soon

We're working on adding video demonstrations for this exercise.

Dumbbell Swing Lunge

Intermediate
Home Friendly

Dynamic full-body exercise combining explosive dumbbell swing with forward lunge to build lower body power, balance, coordination, and conditioning; targets glutes, quads, and hamstrings.

About Exercise

Equipment

Dumbbells

Difficulty

4/5 • Intermediate

Primary Muscle Groups

Glutes, Quads

Secondary Muscles

Lower Back, Shoulders, Obliques, Adductors, Traps

Accessory Muscles

Calves, Forearms

Popularity Score

5

Goals

Power
Conditioning
Strength
Stability

Training Style

Functional Training
CrossFit

Setup Requirements

Requires Rack

No

Requires Bench

No

Requires Spotter

No

Space Needed

Medium

Noise Level

Low

Muscle Breakdown

Glutes

9/10

Glute Max

Quads

8/10

Rectus Femoris

Hamstrings

7/10

Biceps Femoris

Abs

6/10

Rectus Abdominis

Lower Back

5/10

Erector Spinae

Shoulders

4/10

Anterior Delts

Obliques

4/10

External Obliques

Adductors

3/10

Adductor Magnus

Traps

3/10

Upper Traps

Calves

2/10

Soleus

Forearms

2/10

Flexors

Programming

Typical Rep Range

6-15 reps

Rest Between Sets

60-120 seconds

How to Perform

Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell between your legs with both hands, knees slightly bent, core engaged, and back straight.

  1. Hinge at hips to swing dumbbell back between legs.
  2. Explosively drive hips forward to swing dumbbell up while stepping forward into lunge.
  3. Lower until front thigh is parallel to ground and back knee hovers above floor.
  4. Drive through front heel to return to start as dumbbell swings back.
  5. Alternate legs or complete one side before switching.

Coaching Tips

Form Cues

  • Drive with hips, not arms.
  • Keep chest up in lunge.
  • Knee tracks over toes.
  • Squeeze glutes at top.
  • Control descent.

Breathing

Inhale during backswing and lunge descent; exhale forcefully during hip drive and return to start. Brace core throughout.

Tempo

1-0-1

Range of Motion

Swing dumbbell from between legs to chest height; lunge until front thigh parallel to ground and back knee near floor, torso upright.

Safety

Safety Notes

  • Avoid if acute knee, hip, or back issues.
  • Start with light weight to master coordination.
  • Maintain neutral spine to prevent lower back strain.
  • Ensure proper knee alignment to avoid joint stress.
  • Consult professional for pelvic instability.

Spotting

Not typically required; partner can assist with balance if needed, but focus on form over heavy loads.

Common Mistakes

  • Rounding back during hinge.
  • Using arms to swing.
  • Knee caving in lunge.
  • Leaning forward in lunge.
  • Excessive momentum without control.

When to Avoid

  • Acute knee injuries
  • Hip instability
  • Lower back pain
  • Pelvic issues

Flexibility Needed

  • Adequate hip flexion and extension
  • Ankle dorsiflexion for lunge depth

Build Up First

  • Master basic hip hinge and swing
  • Proficient in bodyweight lunges
  • Core stability competency

Also known as

DB Swing Lunge, Swinging Dumbbell Lunge, Dumbbell Lunge Swing

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.