Medicine Ball Reverse Lunge exercise demonstration image

Video Coming Soon

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

Medicine Ball Reverse Lunge

Intermediate
Home Friendly

A weighted reverse lunge holding a medicine ball at chest level that targets quads, glutes, and hamstrings to build lower body strength, balance, and core stability; emphasizes posterior chain more than forward lunges.

About Exercise

Equipment

Medicine Ball

Difficulty

3/5 • Intermediate

Primary Muscle Groups

Quads, Glutes

Secondary Muscles

Abs

Accessory Muscles

Calves

Popularity Score

7

Goals

Strength
Hypertrophy
Stability
Conditioning

Training Style

Functional Training
CrossFit

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, Glute Medius

Hamstrings

7/10

Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus

Abs

4/10

Rectus Abdominis

Calves

2/10
Programming

Typical Rep Range

8-15 reps

Rest Between Sets

60-90 seconds

How to Perform

Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding a medicine ball at chest height with both hands, shoulders back, core braced.

  1. Step backward with one foot, toes forward.
  2. Lower body by bending both knees until back knee hovers 1-2 inches off ground.
  3. Keep front knee over ankle, trunk slightly forward.
  4. Pause briefly at bottom.
  5. Drive through front heel to return to start.
  6. Alternate legs for next rep.

Coaching Tips

Form Cues

  • Chest up
  • Knees track toes
  • Drive through heel
  • Core tight
  • Shoulders back

Breathing

Inhale as you lower into the lunge; exhale as you drive back to standing. Brace core throughout.

Tempo

2-1-2

Range of Motion

Lower until front thigh is parallel to ground and back knee nearly touches floor; front knee stays above ankle.

Safety

Safety Notes

  • Avoid if acute knee pain
  • Use lighter ball if balance issues
  • Ensure stable surface
  • Stop if joint discomfort arises
  • Maintain neutral spine

Spotting

No spotter needed; use wall or chair for balance support if beginner.

Common Mistakes

  • Front knee collapsing inward
  • Rushing the descent
  • Stepping too short or long
  • Leaning forward excessively
  • Not engaging core

When to Avoid

  • Acute knee injuries
  • Severe balance issues
  • Lower back strain

Flexibility Needed

  • Adequate ankle dorsiflexion
  • Hip flexion range
  • Basic lunge stability

Build Up First

  • Master bodyweight reverse lunge
  • Hip hinge proficiency
  • Core bracing control

Also known as

Med Ball Reverse Lunge, Medicine Ball Back Lunge, Weighted Reverse 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.