Hamstring Exercises For Strong, Long, Elegant Shapely Legs

Hamstring Exercises Condition
Backs Of Your Legs To A Storm

With lean and slender contours for your entire legs - that's what hamstring exercises do to your legs!

I'm sure you've heard enough about hamstrings and you wonder why they're so often being mentioned?

And toning the hamstrings always tops the list of toning exercises that's being recommended in any exercise program. It's not coincidence here that these two happen, because hamstrings are important muscles in your legs.

They need to be toned and exercised to keep them strong and in good shape, for good reasons.

Why hamstring exercises?

I get these working out my hamstrings:

I've strong hamstrings that help prevent hamstring injury

Strong hamstrings, according to research, can remarkedly increase my stamina and hasten my pace in any cardio activities

OK, we come back to the "look good" factor: strong, well-toned hamstrings look fantastically elegant and lend pleasingly slenderness to my entire legs

Aren't these too very appealing reasons for you to commit to a powerful hamstring workout?

As in quadriceps exercise , to really shape up your hamstrings, you'll need to combine a powerful hamstring exercise routine with a smart weight loss diet, over a period of time.

Come, let's first get to know your hamstrings so that you'll be able to visuzlise where they're and what they do when you tone them.

Your hamstrings are a group of muscles found on the back of your legs, responsible for flexion of your knees.

They're:

The biceps femoris (outer rear thigh)
The semitendinosus (inner rear thigh)
The semimembranosus (inner rear thigh)

Hamstring Exercise Routine

I feature here some top-notch hamstring exercises based on Chad, my trainer's program , to help shape up your legs.

1: The Heel Curl

This exercise works powerfully on your hamstrings

Getting Into Position

Stand on one leg, the other leg extended behind you.

The Exercise

Bend your knee to make your foot comes up behind you.

Gently lift your heel up to your butts.

Slowly bring your foot back to the floor.

Do 12 repetitions.

Switch to do the other leg.

Note:

If you find it difficult to stand on one leg, hold on to a chair for support

Keep the knee of your supporting leg (the one you're balancing yourself on) slightly bend, don't lock your knee joint

Squeeze your hamstrings and butts as you contract your leg so that you don't lean forward

Maintain alignment of your head, shoulders and hips with your supporting leg

2: Hamstring Curl

This exercise powerfully works on your hamstrings

Getting Into Position

Stand up straight, place left foot about 18 inches behind your right foot.

Extend both arms in front of you for balance.

The Exercise

Bring your left heel toward your gluteals by squeezing the hamstring, keeping your left thigh still. Hold the top position for few seconds before returning to the starting position.

Pulled in your abdominal muscles to support your lower back while doing this exercise.

Do 12 repetitions.

Switch to do the other leg.

3: Hamstring Lift

This exercise powerfully works on your hamstrings

Getting Into Position

On all your fours on the mat, place your hands directly below your shoulders.

Extend one leg straight back with your toes pointed.

The Exercise

While in extended stance, bring your lower leg up to a right angle as you flex your foot.

Keep your torso stable.

Do 8 repetitions.