If you could name an exercise that focuses on multiple muscles in the lower body as well as builds stability and , what would your answer be? You may first think of the or the deadlift, but an even better answer is the lunge — an important that doesn't get the hype it deserves. Did you know that when you kneel, walk, or run, you're performing a ? By taking a lunging step forward, you work the muscles in your hips, glutes, and hamstrings, improving your strength, balance, and flexibility. The movement also translates to a variety of sports, including running and cycling.

"The lunge pattern is the everyday cure to imbalance," says Miami-based NASM-certified personal trainer . That's because compared to other classic strength exercises like or deadlifts, lunges require both sides of your body to work independently while maintaining balance and stability in the upper body. And when you add dynamic movement to the lunge — in this case, we're talking about walking lunges — it only increases the challenge and benefits.

You may have seen people doing walking lunges across your gym, or been asked to do them during a HIIT class. The truth is, walking lunges are worth incorporating into your routine to the stationary lunges you may already know and love. If striding across your weight room feels intimidating, or you're worried about how walking lunges will feel on your knees, don't worry.

We have everything you need to know about the move, including the benefits of walking lunges,.