Front knee caves inward
Adductors and TFL dominate even under the Smith machine fixed path.
Overactive muscles
Adductor complexTFL
Corrective work
Foam RollAdductors↗Foam RollTFL↗StretchButterfly adductor stretch↗Lunge · Lower Body
Smith Machine Lunge
Coaching cues
- Bar on the upper traps inside the Smith machine; feet staggered front to back
- Lower into the lunge; front knee tracks over the toes
- Drive through the front heel to return; the fixed path keeps the torso upright
- Great coaching tool for clients learning lunge mechanics under load
Common faults 2
Pushing off the back toe instead of driving through the front heel
The front leg is underloaded; glute and quad stimulus is reduced.
Overactive muscles
GastrocnemiusHip flexors
Corrective work
Foam RollHip flexors↗StretchHalf-kneeling hip flexor stretch↗