Mighty Logo
Mighty
← Back to library
Last updated March 30, 2026
AdductorsCalvesHamstringsQuadricepsAbductorsGlutes

Lunge - Forward (Kettlebell)

Step forward and drop your hips until your back knee almost touches the floor. Keep your torso upright. Push back firmly through your front heel.

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

Glutes (max)

Equipment & setup

What you need and how to position yourself before starting.

Equipment

Kettlebell

Movement pattern

Staggered

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 hip-width apart, holding a kettlebell in one hand.
    • Keep your other hand on your hip or at your side for balance.
  2. Step 2Position Your Feet
    • Step forward with one foot, ensuring that your toes are pointing straight ahead.
    • Your back foot should remain on the toes, with the heel lifted off the ground.
  3. Step 3Lower Your Body
    • Bend both knees to lower your body into a lunge, keeping your front knee aligned over your ankle.
    • Lower until your back knee is just above the ground, maintaining an upright torso.
  4. Step 4Engage Your Core
    • Keep your core engaged throughout the movement to maintain balance and stability.
    • Ensure that your shoulders are back and down, and your chest is lifted.
  5. Step 5Return to Starting Position
    • Push through your front heel to return to the starting position, straightening both legs.
    • Control the movement and avoid using momentum.
  6. Step 6Switch Sides
    • After completing your reps on one side, switch the kettlebell to the other hand.
    • Repeat the lunge on the opposite leg.
  7. Step 7Finish the Exercise
    • After completing your sets, carefully place the kettlebell down on the ground.
    • Stand upright and take a moment to stretch your legs.

Alternatives & variations

Explore similar movements targeting the same muscles.

View all exercises
Bulgarian Split Squat (Dumbbell)

Bulgarian Split Squat (Dumbbell)

Quads
Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Glutes (max)
Frog Reverse Hyperextension

Frog Reverse Hyperextension

Glutes (max)
Sumo Deadlift (Smith)

Sumo Deadlift (Smith)

Quads
Zercher Back Extension (Barbell)

Zercher Back Extension (Barbell)

Lower Back
Deadlift (Barbell)

Deadlift (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Hip Thrust (Smith)

Hip Thrust (Smith)

Glutes (max)
Resistance Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Resistance Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Glutes (max)
Goblet Squat (Kettlebell)

Goblet Squat (Kettlebell)

Quads
Goblet Squat (Dumbbell)

Goblet Squat (Dumbbell)

Quads
Bulgarian Split Squat (Bodyweight)

Bulgarian Split Squat (Bodyweight)

Quads
Sumo Squat (Barbell)

Sumo Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Resistance Glute Bridge (Band)

Resistance Glute Bridge (Band)

Glutes (max)
Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Kettlebell)

Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Kettlebell)

Hamstrings
Squat (Barbell)

Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Leg Press (Smith)

Leg Press (Smith)

Quads
Hack Squat (Barbell)

Hack Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Resistance Shuttle (Band)

Resistance Shuttle (Band)

Quads
Lateral Lunge (Dumbbell)

Lateral Lunge (Dumbbell)

Quads
Lunge (Barbell)

Lunge (Barbell)

Quads
Squat (Smith)

Squat (Smith)

Quads
Box Squat (Barbell)

Box Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Squat - Wide (Barbell)

Squat - Wide (Barbell)

Quads
Sumo Squat (Kettlebell)

Sumo Squat (Kettlebell)

Quads
Deadlift - Deficit (Barbell)

Deadlift - Deficit (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Leg Press - Horizontal, Seated (Machine)

Leg Press - Horizontal, Seated (Machine)

Quads
Glute Press (Machine)

Glute Press (Machine)

Glutes (max)
Sumo Squat (Dumbbell)

Sumo Squat (Dumbbell)

Quads
Hack Squat - Close Stance

Hack Squat - Close Stance

Outer Quad
Pull Through (Cable)

Pull Through (Cable)

Glutes (max)
Hip Thrust (Dumbbell)

Hip Thrust (Dumbbell)

Glutes (max)
Swing (Kettlebell)

Swing (Kettlebell)

Glutes (max)
Walking Lunge (Dumbbell)

Walking Lunge (Dumbbell)

Quads
Hack Squat

Hack Squat

Quads
Rear Kick - Standing (Machine)

Rear Kick - Standing (Machine)

Glutes (max)
Glute Kickback (Cable)

Glute Kickback (Cable)

Glutes (max)
Kickback - Kneeling, Straight Leg

Kickback - Kneeling, Straight Leg

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

Hip Thrust - Staggered Stance (Barbell)

Glutes (max)
Reverse Lunge (Bodyweight)

Reverse Lunge (Bodyweight)

Quads
Landmine Deadlift

Landmine Deadlift

Hamstrings
Lateral Lunge (Barbell)

Lateral Lunge (Barbell)

Quads
Pause Deadlift (Barbell)

Pause Deadlift (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Pistol Squat (Machine)

Pistol Squat (Machine)

Quads
Deadlift - (Trap Bar)

Deadlift - (Trap Bar)

Quads
Sumo Deadlift (Barbell)

Sumo Deadlift (Barbell)

Quads
Resistance Leg Kickback (Band)

Resistance Leg Kickback (Band)

Glutes (max)
Reverse Vertical Hack Squat (Machine)

Reverse Vertical Hack Squat (Machine)

Quads
Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Barbell)

Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Smith)

Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Smith)

Hamstrings
Sumo Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)

Sumo Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Resistance Hip Thrusts (Band)

Resistance Hip Thrusts (Band)

Glutes (max)
Rear Decline Bridge

Rear Decline Bridge

Glutes (max)
Sled Side Leg Press

Sled Side Leg Press

Quads
Squat (Band)

Squat (Band)

Quads
Front Squat (Barbell)

Front Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Bent Over Hip Extension (Band)

Bent Over Hip Extension (Band)

Glutes (max)
Front Squat (Smith)

Front Squat (Smith)

Quads
Hip Extension (v2) (Machine)

Hip Extension (v2) (Machine)

Glutes (max)
Pull Through (Cable: Rope)

Pull Through (Cable: Rope)

Glutes (max)
Hack Squat (Smith)

Hack Squat (Smith)

Quads
Version 1 · Created November 12, 2025