I've been experimenting with all kinds of hamstring stretches but they all seem the same. I wanted to know if you guys are willing to share some hamstring routines. I do 12 reps of dynamic stretching on each leg (12 front, 12 side; each leg) in the morning. At night static stretching includes sitting down and opening legs kind of like splits and leaning on each side. I haven't been feeling any different.
As for spits i just do a 3 sets of static stretching throughout the day.
I'm sort of a newb at stretching. I left my "Stretching Scientifically" at home so I have no reference. Thanks
hamstring stretching and splits...
the best hamstring stretch I have found is to lie down legs together and stretched out. Bring one of your knees to your chest and clasp the back of your thigh at the bottom of your hamstring. Now try and extend the leg straight. This really works the top of your hamstring at the top of the thigh. That is where you should feel the stretch. Because you are using your muscles push the leg straight you are also increasing the strength - which is good. Otherwise you can try and keep the leg straight with a belt or towel wrapped around the base of the foot and try and bring it towards you. I found this was a good pnf stretch also.
Too many hamstring stetches dont properly target the hamstrings and recruit the lower back muscles, especially the toe touch. The stretch I have suggested is very good at isolating the hamstrings without using the lower back or stressing the knee.
Too many hamstring stetches dont properly target the hamstrings and recruit the lower back muscles, especially the toe touch. The stretch I have suggested is very good at isolating the hamstrings without using the lower back or stressing the knee.
Bruce, what you say is true but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The hamstrings and spinal erectors are linked by the fact that they both attach to the pelvis. So tight hamstrings will result in a tight lower back and vice versa. If someone is serious about improving their hamstring flexiblity, they shouldn't neglect the lower back. Just think about how you do a front kick. You thrust your hip into the motion and that requires lower back flexibility.bruce123 wrote: Too many hamstring stetches dont properly target the hamstrings and recruit the lower back muscles, especially the toe touch. The stretch I have suggested is very good at isolating the hamstrings without using the lower back or stressing the knee.
-Mark
alright i'm working on that thanks.
I had a question about doing the split stretch while sitting. Legs sort of looks like this: \/
Supposedly if you lean forward it opens up your legs but I can't seem to get them wider. I used the bottom of my bed to stretch that way, but after I do it again without using help it's just back to this, \/.....not very wide. I hope that wasn't too confusing, I don't have a camera with me.
I had a question about doing the split stretch while sitting. Legs sort of looks like this: \/
Supposedly if you lean forward it opens up your legs but I can't seem to get them wider. I used the bottom of my bed to stretch that way, but after I do it again without using help it's just back to this, \/.....not very wide. I hope that wasn't too confusing, I don't have a camera with me.