The lunge is a fairly simple movement and it isn’t dissimilar to the way we move in daily life – when you walk, run or pick something up, you’ll be shifting your weight in the same way as when you lunge. Yet do them in a workout and it results in agony.

“I think the main reason a lot of people find lunges harder than exercises like squats is because lunges are a single-leg movement,” Ashby says. “You’re relying on one side of your body to carry your weight.” Lunges also require a lot of balance, which might make you feel like you lack stability.

However, another common reason that people find lunges so difficult is that they’re not doing them correctly. “The main reason people struggle with lunges is that they take a very narrow stance. If you evenly distribute your weight by keeping your legs about hip distance apart or wider, lunges should feel a lot easier,” Ashby explains.

Why are lunges so hard? A personal trainer explains the benefits of lunges