Lateral Lunge (Frontal Plane)

Frontal Plane (Lateral) Lunge:

1. Start with the client or patient assuming good standing form/posture:

• 2nd toe pointing forward and under the ASIS
• Ankles, knees, and hips in alignment
• Pelvis neutral (absence of anterior or posterior pelvic tilt)
• Torso, scapula, and head in neutral alignment

1. Have the client or patient take a lateral step.

• Note, before performing any progression of a lateral lunge, it is recommended a few reps of a static or dynamic lunge are performed to determine the step width that results in ideal alignment in the bottom position.

1. Cue the client or patient to maintain the tibia and torso angle parallel.
2. Once the client or patient has achieved the bottom position, have them perform the drawing-in maneuver, squeeze the glute of the target leg, and attempt to thrust that hip forward to attain the original standing position.
3. Have the client or patient perform a “form/posture check” and make any necessary adjustments.
4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Regressions and Progressions

• Progressions: Increasing load, unstable loads, or unstable surfaces.
• To Balance: This exercise can be performed with the non-target foot returning to the starting position between repetitions, or the non-target foot can be elevated with 90 degrees of hip and knee flexion, with the intent to stabilize at the top of each repetition (in this variation the non-target-foot only touches the starting position at the beginning and end of a set).
• Sequence Progression: This exercise can be performed as a static lunge, a dynamic reverse lunge, a dynamic reverse lunge to balance, walking a lunge, a walking lunge to balance, a forward lunge, and a forward lunge to balance.
• Exercise Progression: Multi-planer lunges, single leg touchdowns