Why Do Lunges Hurt My Knees?

As the knee bends, pressure between your kneecap and the groove increases. This is why activities involving deep knee bend like squats and lunges are two of the more common complaints for people suffering from patellofemoral pain.

Are lunges bad for your knees?

"Lunges at extreme angles can put added stress on the joints, and cause pain in the knees," Mazzucco said. "If you are leaning too far forward, your knee can't bend properly to a 90-degree angle, which can lead to knee injury and make balancing hard.

Are lunges or squats worse for knees?

For people with knee osteoarthritis, lunging poses the same benefits and risks as deep squatting. Lunges are a great way to improve your overall leg and hip strength, but they may cause unnecessary pain when practiced incorrectly. The trick, Bell says, is to make sure your knee doesn't extend past your ankle.