Best Hamstring Exercises

The hamstrings run down the back of the thigh and do two jobs: they extend the hip and bend the knee. Train both. Hip hinges such as Romanian deadlifts, stiff-leg deadlifts and good mornings load the hamstrings in a long, stretched position, while lying, seated and Nordic curls train knee flexion. Strong hamstrings support sprinting and jumping and help protect the knee and lower back. When hinging, push the hips back with a neutral spine and only go as low as your hamstrings allow without rounding. Lower the weight slowly — the eccentric phase is where hamstrings both grow and most often get strained when rushed.

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