You can squat heavier weights but lunges require more functional fitness

“Lunges are great for building unilateral strength and core stability and improving your balance,” says Millard. These are all functional skills that serve a purpose in every day life beyond the gym.

Unilateral work helps us to be stable and strong on either side of our body. That’s especially important given that we don’t often pick things up off the floor with perfectly aligned feet.

The staggered stance of lunges mimics the movement of walking and running, building strength in the pattern we need every day. “Reverse lunges are particularly good for this,” trainer Emma Obayuvana has previously told Strong Women. “The movement… mimics the direct body mechanics and muscles as running as you drive that reverse leg back up to standing.”

Lunges are an effective lower body exercise – but are they as good as squats?