Newbie here, I just did first workout B, Stage 1. The only real problem I had was the lunges. I can't seem to step far enough to get thigh parallel and more annoyingly, I kept falling over!
Is it "cheating" to do these next to a counter where I can help my balance and grab when I need to? Should form or balance win out at first? I'm assuming it will get easier and I eventually won't need the counter near. I'm 221 pounds and didn't want to try weight with lunges yet. (Maybe I should?)
I was having a problem with balance to begin as well. Not that I'd fall over, but that stepping back up was an exercise in trying not to wrench my knee out of its socket. It's a little off plan, but I started doing stationary lunges - step forward once and then just lunge up and down for all reps, then step back. I finished Stage 1 and 2, then moved to Fat Loss 1 from NROL where we're doing sets of 15 lunges to start, and I find I'm much better at them now.
I don't think it would be cheating to do them next to something and reach out if you start to lose your balance. Don't be afraid to add weight either, but don't add weight if it makes you lose form, either.
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"Men are taught to apologize for their weaknesses, women for their strengths." - Lois Wyse
The wider apart your feet are from being in line with each other makes balance easier also. If one foot is directly in line with the other, balance is extremely difficult. Making sure you're stepping out to the side a bit may help.
These real lunges and squats are so different the fakey 1/4 and 1/2 versions done in group exercise classes I've taken. They are so kicking my a$$! My legs were also barely holding me up today, I hope I can walk tomorrow!
I was so happy when I read your post because I have the exact same problem when I do lunges. If I haven't done lnges in a while, it's soooo hard for me. I also lose my balance, but I've noticed that with time, it gets easier. Once you finally get the strength to do it, all the rest falls into place. Your start seeing your form improve as long as you just keep pushing fot it.
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You'll improve Part of the whole program is getting you to realize how your whole body works together to develop strength and stability. (and why free & olympic weights are better than machines!) Wider stance helps, as someone mentioned above. Maybe you're stepping your front foot out too far as well. My recommendation - nail the form down before you add weights. Maybe put your hands out in front of you when you do the lunges, to help with balance.
This may be something fun to do... Bookmark this page and come back to this thread when you finish stage 4. It might be a really good way to realize how much progress you've made since your original post in the thread, in just a matter of weeks.
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"If 'toning' is the goal, strength is the method." ~ Mark Rippetoe
Yes, thanks for that video. I haven't been doing mine right either. I need to widen my step A LOT! No wonder my knees have been hurting. I think I was scared to step out that far because I didn't feel strong enough. And although I can feel my muscles working harder, its so much easier and more natural feeling. Thanks!
__________________ Give Truth About Abs a try. It's working really good for me.
Lunges and Lack of Balance
I'm 221 pounds and didn't want to try weight with lunges yet. (Maybe I should?)
Linear Mode
