Shilpa Shetty stays fit without doing lunges—here’s how

An avid fitness aficionado, Shilpa Shetty recently made a candid confession about her exercise preferences. "I DO NOT like . There, I said it," Shetty openly admitted on Instagram. However, she quickly highlighted the importance of a specific variation in her regimen—the Bulgarian Split Squat, or as she refers to it, the Bulgarian Split Lunge, citing its superior benefits for glute muscle strength.

Describing it as a "killer unilateral exercise," she noted its effectiveness in targeting not just the glutes but also the quadriceps and hamstrings. This makes it a comprehensive lower body workout that can be more beneficial than traditional lunges. Despite her aversion to lunges, Shetty's adoption of the Bulgarian Split Squat into her routine demonstrates her commitment to a holistic and effective fitness regime.

Sometimes the exercises we like the least can be the most beneficial for us. Besides achieving and growth, here are all the reasons you need to add it to your fitness regime: The key to maximising the benefits of the Bulgarian Split Squat, according to Shetty, lies in the technique. She suggests a diagonal movement, akin to , rather than a straight up and down motion like an elevator.

This adjustment ensures a more intense workout for the glutes. The excercise can be performed with or without weights, making it suitable for all fitness levels and easy to include in home workouts. Shetty stresses the importance of maintaining the shin of the planted leg in a vertical position and initiating the movement from the hip.

This posture not only helps in achieving deeper squats but also ensures better contraction of the muscles. "The deeper you go, the better the contraction, and you will see it WORK," she asserted. Regular practice of this exercise can help in correcting posture issues, especially for those who .

Performing this exercise requires and thus improves balance and , as stabilizing muscles are engaged to maintain posture. This exercise helps in increasing hip flexor flexibility and overall hip mobility, beneficial for overall lower body movement. By focusing on one leg at a time, the Bulgarian Split Squat helps correct muscle imbalances and reduces the risk of injuries common in bilateral exercises.

Athletes can gain from the functional strength and balance improvements, which are directly transferable to various . As a compound exercise, it engages multiple large muscle groups, thereby increasing calorie burn and boosting metabolism. It puts less stress on the back and knees compared to traditional , making it a safer alternative for individuals with joint concerns..