All products featured on Self are independently selected by our editors.

However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.

All those squats, lunges, and leg presses are getting you stronger, so way to go.

Athlete performing a sidelying leg lift

Tory Rust

But are they also slashing your risk of getting hurt?

The exercises may seem too simple to be effective.

Lunges andsquatshit these stabilizing muscles too, but they focus more on the bigger muscles.

Image may contain Human Person Stretch Clothing Apparel Footwear and Shoe

Plus, says Matzkin, For many runners or athletes, lunges and squats can exacerbate anterior knee pain.

Myrtl moves, on the other hand, give your knees a little break.

Its not all about getting strong for the start line, though.

Image may contain Human Person Exercise Sport Sports Working Out Fitness Clothing Apparel and Stretch

Muscular imbalancesand immobility can lead to knee pain and all kinds of injury down the chain.

Your hips (and knees and IT bands) will thank you.

Image may contain Human Person Stretch and Kneeling

Image may contain Human Person Sport Sports Exercise Working Out Stretch and Fitness

Image may contain Human Person Exercise Fitness Sport Sports Working Out Stretch and Yoga

Image may contain Human Person Footwear Clothing Shoe Apparel and Stretch

Image may contain Human Person Dance Pose Leisure Activities Dance Clothing and Apparel

Image may contain Dance Pose Leisure Activities Human Person Clothing and Apparel

Image may contain Dance Pose Leisure Activities Human Person Footwear Shoe Clothing Apparel and Dance

Image may contain Clothing Apparel Human Person and Standing