Question about knee pain from lunges on carpet

I started doing lunges on my carpeted floor last week. Now my knees ache whenever I bend them. Is there a better way to do lunges or should I switch exercises?

4 comments

4 Comments

simon_young461mo ago

My gym's turf floor is way worse for lunges than any carpet I've tried. That soft, unstable surface is what actually tweaks knees because your foot sinks and wobbles. Your knee pain is probably from going too deep too fast, not the carpet. A firm carpet gives you solid feedback so you can fix your form, unlike squishy gym floors that hide poor movement. I say stick with the carpet and just shorten your lunge step.

the_stella1mo agoMost Upvoted

Read something similar about how unstable surfaces trick you into thinking you're stable when you're not. @simon_young46's take on turf floors hiding poor movement is spot on. Carpet might be firm, but at least it doesn't lie to you about your form. I've seen people wobble on those gym floors and then wonder why their knees ache later. Shortening the lunge step seems like a smart fix, honestly.

alice6021mo ago

Carpet's texture gives your feet better grip and awareness than slick turf. You'll naturally stabilize your knees because the surface doesn't slide around like some gym floors. @the_stella has a point about feedback, but it's the consistent friction that really helps form.

-1

felix_knight1mo ago

Listen, carpet doesn't hide your mistakes, so that ache is your body yelling about your form. @the_stella nailed it with unstable surfaces lying to you, but even solid carpet can't fix a bad lunge. Are you letting your front knee cave inward or pushing too far forward? I'd bet your weight is in your toes instead of your whole foot. Try filming yourself from the side - is your torso leaning way over? That torque on your knee is brutal.