Since I was able to do 15 lunges (with some wobbling) on each leg with bodyweight the last time I did Stage 1, workout B, I decided to add some weights tonight. I put the 2.5 pound weight plates on my dumbbells, so it comes out to 7.5 pounds each.
So when I did lunges with these weights, I could only do 3 for the first set and then 4 for the second set. Would adding just that small amount of weight normally have such a drastic effect on reps, or could I have just been having an off day for lunges?
That's adding 15 pounds on what is essentially a single leg exercise.
If it was squats and you added 30 pounds from one workout to the next, we'd say you increased by too much too fast.
If BW squats was near your limit for that number of reps - adding 15 lbs could definitely be too much too fast.
Or it could have just been an off day for lunges.
Even though I said 7.5 pounds each, I suppose I didn't really think of it as adding 15 pounds. I was just thinking these two small, easy to hold weights.....
Also, make sure with the bodyweight lunges you are doing it smoothly--wobbles are bad.
If you don't have a lot of control of your leg (indicated by wobbles) you may be holding your bodyweight forward going into it which makes it harder to stay upright when you have to, holding the weights.
So, make sure that in unweighted lunges you keep your body as upright as possible: think shoulders back, chest open
If you want to describe exactly the problem you felt you were having someone might be able to better analyze it.
For some, it is easier to do reverse lunges as the momentum of going forward can throw your upper body in a forward direction already, while a reverse lunge may do the .. well reverse = making upper body stay more upright.
Unless I'm off balance from the last rep, I'm able to go down without any wobbling. It's in getting back up that causes them, probably because I still need to build more strength there. I may be leaning forward too much in getting back up just because it's easier to use the front leg to push up and I'd otherwise be stuck kneeling on the floor.
I don't know if the backwards lunges are any easier when it comes to getting back up, but I don't get off balance as much going backwards.
I typically don't have a lot of issues with balance, but unless I go very slow, lunges seem to make me want to fall off my feet. Pendulum lunge attempts have made me crazy at times!
Oh, one more comment--Galya had me imagine my feet on tracks for lunges. In other words, imagine that each foot is on the rail of a train track (narrower of course). Your feet stay on the imaginary tracks--they do not end up in a straight line, as if you are on a balance beam. They stay on their own track as you step each forward. Does that make sense?
Apparently I was trying to walk an imaginary tightrope while doing lunges.
Ooh! I think I must have been trying to walk a tightrope too! I didn't do lunges with NROL4W program yesterday because I was on workout A, but I did the 30 day shred DVD as a warmup and visualized tracks when doing the DVD lunges and it seemed like I was able to keep better balance. I don't go down as low into the lunges with the DVD since I have to do them so quickly to keep up with the video, so I'll have to see how they go on Monday when workout B comes up again.
Thanks for the article suggestion, missjane. I was reading a bit of the beginning of your training log earlier and noticed you initially had a very difficult time with lunges. I'm guessing you're much better at them now!
Ooh! I think I must have been trying to walk a tightrope too! I didn't do lunges with NROL4W program yesterday because I was on workout A, but I did the 30 day shred DVD as a warmup and visualized tracks when doing the DVD lunges and it seemed like I was able to keep better balance. I don't go down as low into the lunges with the DVD since I have to do them so quickly to keep up with the video, so I'll have to see how they go on Monday when workout B comes up again.
Thanks for the article suggestion, missjane. I was reading a bit of the beginning of your training log earlier and noticed you initially had a very difficult time with lunges. I'm guessing you're much better at them now!
Right you are! Take a look at recent workouts logged......all in good time!
Is this normal for lunges?
Linear Mode
