Dumbbell Walking Lunge

Also known as: Walking Lunge (Dumbbell)

Perform alternating forward lunges while holding a dumbbell in each hand; the movement emphasizes the quadriceps with assistance from the glutes and hamstrings.

How to do the Dumbbell Walking Lunge#

  1. Stand upright with a dumbbell in each hand and feet about hip-width apart.
  2. Step forward with one leg into a long stride and plant the front heel.
  3. Lower your hips until the front thigh is roughly parallel to the floor and the rear knee approaches the ground.
  4. Drive through the front heel to push your body forward and bring the rear foot up into the next step.
  5. Maintain an upright torso, brace your core, and keep the front knee tracking over the foot as you continue walking.

Muscles worked#

  • Primary: Quads (Quadriceps Femoris), Glutes (Gluteus Maximus)
  • Secondary: Hamstrings (Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus & Semimembranosus), Adductors (Adductor Magnus, Longus & Brevis (Hip Adductors)), Calves (Gastrocnemius & Soleus), Abs (Rectus Abdominis)

Common mistakes#

Track the Dumbbell Walking Lunge in Gript: your previous sets in view while you train, records detected automatically, and an estimated 1RM chart from every hard set.

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Frequently asked questions#

What muscles does the Dumbbell Walking Lunge work?

The Dumbbell Walking Lunge primarily works the quads, glutes. The hamstrings, adductors, calves, abs assist as secondary muscles — they stabilise the movement and take over when the main target fatigues. If you feel it mostly in the hamstrings, adductors, calves, abs, lighten the load and slow the lowering phase.

What equipment do I need for the Dumbbell Walking Lunge?

The Dumbbell Walking Lunge needs the following: Dumbbell. Nothing beyond that is required to run the movement as described above.

Is the Dumbbell Walking Lunge suitable for beginners?

Not as one of your first exercises. The Dumbbell Walking Lunge is rated intermediate, so it suits lifters who already have a few months of consistent training behind them. Build the pattern on an easier variation first, then come back to it.

What are good alternatives to the Dumbbell Walking Lunge?

Dumbbell Bulgarian Split Squat, Dumbbell Curtsy Lunge, Dumbbell Deadlift all train the same primary muscles as the Dumbbell Walking Lunge. Pick whichever one matches the equipment in front of you.