Mighty Logo
Mighty
← Back to library
Last updated March 5, 2026
AdductorsCalvesHamstringsQuadricepsAbductorsGlutes

Lateral Lunge (Barbell)

Rest bar on back. Step out wide to the side, bending that knee while keeping the other leg straight. Push back to center.

Quick facts

Level
Intermediate
Mechanic
Compound
Force
Push
Type
Strength
Injury Risk
Moderate
Hypertrophy
Medium
Calorie Burn
High

Muscle focus

Primary and secondary muscle groups targeted by this movement.

Primary

Quads

Secondary

Inner Thigh (large)

Equipment & setup

What you need and how to position yourself before starting.

Equipment

Barbell

Movement pattern

Alternate

Posture

Standing

Tracking parameters

repsweight

Step-by-step instructions

Follow these cues to master proper technique and stay safe through every rep.

  1. Step 1Setup
    • Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a barbell across your upper back.
    • Make sure your grip is slightly wider than shoulder-width and your elbows are pointing down.
  2. Step 2Position Your Feet
    • Step your right foot out to the side, keeping your left foot planted.
    • Ensure that your right foot is flat on the ground and your toes are pointing forward.
  3. Step 3Initiate the Lunge
    • Bend your right knee and push your hips back as you lower your body into the lunge.
    • Keep your left leg straight and your chest up, maintaining a neutral spine.
  4. Step 4Depth of Lunge
    • Lower your body until your right thigh is parallel to the ground or as low as your flexibility allows.
    • Ensure that your right knee is aligned with your right ankle and does not extend past your toes.
  5. Step 5Return to Start
    • Push through your right heel to return to the starting position, straightening your right leg.
    • Keep your core engaged and maintain good posture as you rise.
  6. Step 6Repeat on Other Side
    • After completing the desired reps on one side, switch to the left side and repeat the same steps.
    • Ensure that you maintain proper form throughout each repetition.
  7. Step 7Finish the Exercise
    • After completing your sets, carefully lower the barbell to the ground or a rack.
    • Stand tall and take a moment to stretch your legs and back.

Alternatives & variations

Explore similar movements targeting the same muscles.

View all exercises
Bent Over Hip Extension (Band)

Bent Over Hip Extension (Band)

Glutes (max)
Box Squat (Barbell)

Box Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Bulgarian Split Squat (Bodyweight)

Bulgarian Split Squat (Bodyweight)

Quads
Bulgarian Split Squat (Dumbbell)

Bulgarian Split Squat (Dumbbell)

Quads
Deadlift (Barbell)

Deadlift (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Deadlift - Deficit (Barbell)

Deadlift - Deficit (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Deadlift - (Trap Bar)

Deadlift - (Trap Bar)

Quads
Glute Kickback (Cable)

Glute Kickback (Cable)

Glutes (max)
Frog Reverse Hyperextension

Frog Reverse Hyperextension

Glutes (max)
Front Squat (Barbell)

Front Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Front Squat (Smith)

Front Squat (Smith)

Quads
Glute Press (Machine)

Glute Press (Machine)

Glutes (max)
Goblet Squat (Dumbbell)

Goblet Squat (Dumbbell)

Quads
Goblet Squat (Kettlebell)

Goblet Squat (Kettlebell)

Quads
Hack Squat

Hack Squat

Quads
Hack Squat (Barbell)

Hack Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Hack Squat - Close Stance

Hack Squat - Close Stance

Outer Quad
Hack Squat (Smith)

Hack Squat (Smith)

Quads
Hip Abduction - Seated (Machine)

Hip Abduction - Seated (Machine)

Side Glutes (med)
Hip Abduction (v2) - Seated (Machine)

Hip Abduction (v2) - Seated (Machine)

Side Glutes (med)
Hip Extension (v2) (Machine)

Hip Extension (v2) (Machine)

Glutes (max)
Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Glutes (max)
Hip Thrust (Dumbbell)

Hip Thrust (Dumbbell)

Glutes (max)
Hip Thrust (Smith)

Hip Thrust (Smith)

Glutes (max)
Hip Thrust - Staggered Stance (Barbell)

Hip Thrust - Staggered Stance (Barbell)

Glutes (max)
Kickback - Kneeling, Straight Leg

Kickback - Kneeling, Straight Leg

Glutes (max)
Kickback - Medius (Cable)

Kickback - Medius (Cable)

Side Glutes (med)
Landmine Deadlift

Landmine Deadlift

Hamstrings
Lateral Lunge (Dumbbell)

Lateral Lunge (Dumbbell)

Quads
Leg Press - Horizontal, Seated (Machine)

Leg Press - Horizontal, Seated (Machine)

Quads
Leg Press (Smith)

Leg Press (Smith)

Quads
Lunge (Barbell)

Lunge (Barbell)

Quads
Walking Lunge (Dumbbell)

Walking Lunge (Dumbbell)

Quads
Lunge - Forward (Kettlebell)

Lunge - Forward (Kettlebell)

Quads
Pause Deadlift (Barbell)

Pause Deadlift (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Pistol Squat (Machine)

Pistol Squat (Machine)

Quads
Pull Through (Cable)

Pull Through (Cable)

Glutes (max)
Pull Through (Cable: Rope)

Pull Through (Cable: Rope)

Glutes (max)
Rear Decline Bridge

Rear Decline Bridge

Glutes (max)
Rear Kick - Standing (Machine)

Rear Kick - Standing (Machine)

Glutes (max)
Resistance Glute Bridge (Band)

Resistance Glute Bridge (Band)

Glutes (max)
Resistance Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Resistance Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Glutes (max)
Resistance Hip Thrusts (Band)

Resistance Hip Thrusts (Band)

Glutes (max)
Resistance Leg Kickback (Band)

Resistance Leg Kickback (Band)

Glutes (max)
Resistance Shuttle (Band)

Resistance Shuttle (Band)

Quads
Reverse Lunge (Bodyweight)

Reverse Lunge (Bodyweight)

Quads
Reverse Vertical Hack Squat (Machine)

Reverse Vertical Hack Squat (Machine)

Quads
Sled Side Leg Press

Sled Side Leg Press

Quads
Squat (Band)

Squat (Band)

Quads
Squat (Barbell)

Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Squat (Smith)

Squat (Smith)

Quads
Squat - Wide (Barbell)

Squat - Wide (Barbell)

Quads
Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Barbell)

Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Kettlebell)

Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Kettlebell)

Hamstrings
Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Smith)

Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Smith)

Hamstrings
Sumo Deadlift (Barbell)

Sumo Deadlift (Barbell)

Quads
Sumo Deadlift (Smith)

Sumo Deadlift (Smith)

Quads
Sumo Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)

Sumo Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Sumo Squat (Barbell)

Sumo Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Sumo Squat (Dumbbell)

Sumo Squat (Dumbbell)

Quads
Sumo Squat (Kettlebell)

Sumo Squat (Kettlebell)

Quads
Swing (Kettlebell)

Swing (Kettlebell)

Glutes (max)
Zercher Back Extension (Barbell)

Zercher Back Extension (Barbell)

Lower Back
Version 1 · Created November 12, 2025