A curtsy lunge, also known as a curtsy squat, is a lower body exercise that's a variation of the reverse lunge. It involves stepping one foot back and crossing it behind the other leg in a diagonal pattern, similar to a curtsy. Then, you bend both knees and lower your body a few inches toward the floor.
here are some tips to help maintain proper form when performing curtsy lunges:
- Upright Torso:
- Keep your chest up and your core engaged throughout the movement.
- Avoid leaning forward or backward as you lunge down.
- Knee Alignment:
- Ensure your front knee tracks in line with your front ankle, not collapsing inward.
- Your back knee should also track straight down, not caving inward.
- Controlled Descent:
- Lower yourself in a controlled motion, not just dropping down.
- Focus on sitting your hips back and bending both knees.
- Foot Positioning:
- Keep your feet about shoulder-width apart, with your front foot flat and your back heel lifted.
- Make sure your back foot is positioned diagonally behind the front foot.
- Weight Distribution:
- Distribute your weight evenly between both feet throughout the movement.
- Avoid leaning excessively to one side.
- Range of Motion:
- Go down only as far as you can while maintaining good form.
- Depth may vary based on your mobility, but aim for at least 90 degrees in both knees.
- Core Bracing:
- Engage your core by bracing your abdominal muscles.
- This helps stabilize your spine and maintain proper torso alignment.
- Arm Positioning:
- Keep your arms either at your sides or crossed in front of your chest.
- Avoid using your arms to pull yourself up, focus on leg drive.
Start light and focus on perfecting your form before adding load or increasing the range of motion. Proper technique is crucial to get the most benefits from curtsy lunges while avoiding injury.