Build Your Hamstrings!
Having strong hamstrings is really important! Why? Well, let me tell you! Hamstrings play a huge role in overall body function and help prevent injuries.
Personally, I used to get hamstring strains during sprints because of weak hamstrings. A lot of people tend to focus more on the quads and sometimes forget about the hamstrings. It is important they are strong because they play a major role in daily activities such as walking, running and jumping.
With strong hamstrings, you can jump higher, run faster, and accelerate with explosive power. Not to mention, they can also help maintain good posture. They’re a huge part of the posterior chain (back side of the body), and if they’re not balanced with the quads, it may cause knee pain and other injuries.
In addition, strong hamstrings:
Increase flexibility and improve the range of motion in the hip
Prevent lower back pain
Reduce chance of injuries
Improve posture
Here is what the hamstrings look like! (Back side of leg)
A great way to target the hamstrings is to learn how to properly hip hinge. A proper hip hinge will target the posterior chain and really get your glutes and hamstrings stronger. When performed correctly, you will feel a stretch in the back side of the leg.
A great way to feel that stretch in the back of the leg is with a proper inch worm exercise.
Once the hinge is learned properly and aware how it feels you may introduce more complex exercises.
Here are some exercises you should be doing to bulletproof those hamstrings!
1) Romanian Deadlift
Glute Hamstring Developer
Single Leg Romanian Deadlift
Glute Hamstring Roller
Here is a video of all these exercises being performed.
Learning how to hip hinge, how it feels to activate the hamstrings, and improving on these exercises will grow and get your hamstrings stronger!
Do you have any questions? Email me at macrosolutionschicago@gmail.com or send me a DM on my social media platforms at @macrosolutionschicago
