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How To

How to Do Traveling Lunges

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(6 Ratings)

Traveling lunges, combined with regular aerobic activity and a healthy diet, are a fantastic way to tighten and sculpt the gluteus muscles, hamstrings and quadriceps.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  1. Step 1

    Stand with feet 3 to 4 inches apart, with hands on hips.

  2. Step 2

    Maintain good posture, with the neck, shoulders and ribs stacked on top of one another.

  3. Step 3

    Keep the abdominal muscles tight to help support the back. Don't arch the back.

  4. Step 4

    Starting with the right leg, take a giant step forward. The toes and knee are pointed directly in front of the body.

  5. Step 5

    Bend the right knee slightly, with the entire foot on the floor. The left heel lifts up.

  6. Step 6

    Lower the body straight down from this position. The front knee must lower down over the ankle, or at least stay behind the shoelaces.

  7. Step 7

    Lower yourself until the pelvis is in line with the front knee.

  8. Step 8

    Raise the body and bring the left leg in to return to the standing position.

  9. Step 9

    Repeat with the left leg. Alternate right and left each time.

  10. Step 10

    Travel across your living room, a sidewalk or an aerobic floor.

  11. Step 11

    Exercise for approximately five minutes to start. When that becomes easy, hold hand weights to add intensity. Start with a light weight, 2 lbs. per hand, increasing to 3, 5, 8, 10 and up.

  12. Step 12

    Stretch the gluteus, hamstrings and quadriceps following your workout.

Tips & Warnings
  • Exhale and tighten the abdomen as you step forward and down.
  • Be sure that the front knee doesn't extend beyond the shoelaces. You may need to either take a bigger step forward or shorten the lowering phase.
  • The upper body stays upright throughout the lunge.
  • Perform the lunges slowly and be very precise with your form.
  • To decrease intensity, take a smaller step forward and don't lower down very far.
  • Experiment with different rhythms; hold longer at the bottom or do right leg only and then left leg only.
  • To improve your strength more quickly, lift weights more slowly - this allows your muscles to rely more on strength than momentum.
  • Wear cushioned and supportive shoes.
  • Always warm up before performing traveling lunges or do them after your aerobic workout when the muscles are really warm.
  • The knee should stay above the ankle throughout; avoid letting the knee waver to the right or left.
  • Please consult your physician before engaging in this or any other new and strenuous physical activity. Traveling lunges are not for everybody; listen to your body. Although you may feel a little discomfort in the knees, if it is painful, don't do them.
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