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Oct 2010  |  By Jenny Muslin  |  Comments

Lunge With a Twist

We’re all strapped for time these days so what’s better than a move that works multiple muscles at once?

The lunge with a twist targets your core (rectus abdominus and obliques) legs and butt (quads, hamstrings, and glutes) and your arms (biceps and deltoids). You can use a medicine ball or a weight to increase the intensity of this move.

1. Begin standing tall with feet together while holding a 2-6 pound medicine ball.

2. Lunge your right leg forward. As you lunge, bring the ball out in front of you and twist your body to the right. Hug the ball close to your waist.

3. Push your right leg back to standing while twisting the ball back to your front.

4. Repeat on the left side.

Complete a total of 24 reps.

Equipment variation: Hold a 3-5 pound weight with each hand flat on weight’s sides.

Safety Tip: Knee should never come over your toes when lunging. Your knee should stay in line with your hip and top of your shoe.

Pictured: Rhonda Gordon, Owner and Instructor of Rhonda Gordon Fitness, Winnetka. RGF offers pilates, yoga, zumba, kickbox, strength training and cardio interval classes. Rhoda has been teaching group exercise and personal training for 25 years.