Substitute for static lunges?

[Denise B]

Hi Cathe,

I'm really enjoying the S&H tapes -- thanks for all your hard work and creativity in making them. I wanted to know if you could recommend a substitute for static lunges (which I see from another post are a favorite of yours ). Unfortunately, they are really hard on my feet (I have bunions), especially at the 6-2 count. I can do a limited amount of exercises with my feet in a curled position, but I try to keep my feet flat as much as possible during lower body work. I was thinking of trying seated quad extensions (with ankle weights) and standing hamstring curls (also with weights) using the S&H count. What do you think? Would these be a satisfactory substitute? Any other recommendations?

Thanks, Cathe.

~Denise

 

[Denise B]

Bumping...

I know you're busy with the DVD shipment!

 

[dhjensen]

Denise,

I just thought that I would give you my idea.
I have problems with my achilles tendons, so doing lunges with heavy weights is really tough on me. I have found that if i do them with my back leg on the step, I have more of the weight on my front flat foot (heel). There is not nealy as much strain on the back foot.
that has helped me a lot, and you could give it a try.
It's still a very very great workout.

good luck
Dorthe

 

[kathryn]

A suggestion. YOu might try turning the static lunge into a one-legged squat. Place your back foot on a step, shoelaces DOWN, and push up and down with all your weight on your front foot (the back foot is only for balance). You'd have to use a lighter weight than for a lunge.

 

[Marilyn]

Hi Denise, I have bunions too and static lunges really can aggravate the foot that is behind. If you have a tall box ( like in the Firm tapes) I have found tall box step ups to be a good substitute. Marilyn

 

[Denise B]

Thanks everyone for your ideas. I'll give them a try next time I do this tape!

~Denise

 

[Bobbi]

You might also do as many as are comfortable or you could eliminate them all together and do something more comfortable to you while Cathe does them. Add a few rounds of leg extensions with ankle weights at the end of the workout. I don't have bunions but I have a collapsed arch and my feet can really bother me if I am not careful. I find the lunges primarily work my quads although they also hit the glutes and hams. So elimnating one exercise while doing a similar one should be fine.

That's my two cents worth!

;-)

Bobbi