It Would Really Help You To Learn Proper Hamstring Stretches to Enhance Your Workout!
A proper hamstring stretches are one of the most important stretches that you can do before or after a workout. Your lower body can maintain flexibility, and it will stave off injury.
A lot of people don’t realize that hamstrings are much more susceptible to tears, strains and other injuries that other areas of the body. Athletes that are particular susceptible are those who require extreme burst of speed, power and agility.
Just by committing to a proper stretch before working out or participating in athletic activities, you will reduce your chances of hamstring injury dramatically.
Here are some excellent exercises that you can add to your daily routine:
Basic Stretch
Sit on the floor, pointing your legs right in front of you. Bend at the waist while extending your arms straight in front of you, reaching forward. Maintain constant movement, sliding your hands down your legs as you keep up the movement.
Move forward while keeping your knees straight. Once you feel some discomfort, hold for 10 seconds and then return to an upright seated position. Repeat three times
Seated Hamstring and Groin Stretch
Sit tall with both legs fully outstretched. Flex your right knee so that the right foot rests comfortably along your left inner thigh, with the right knee as close as possible to the floor. While maintaining an extended spine and lowering your shoulders, you reach forward to grab your left foot, which should still be extended.
Try to lean forward as much as you can and the reach even further by relaxing your spine before pausing to hold this stretching position. Your extended leg should experience a good stretch, as well as your flexed leg’s rear and inner thigh. Breathe easy while doing this stretch and repeat again with the other leg.
The Lying Hamstring Stretch and Other Variations
Lie flat on the floor with your knees flexed to approximately ninety degrees. Raise your left leg, grasping it loosely behind the thigh with both hands. Now ease this leg as close to your chest as possible, keeping your other leg straight along the floor. The thigh that is flexed should undergo a tremendous stretch. Repeat with the other leg. Breathe easily throughout. If you can perform this exercise relatively easily, then go back to your original starting position and this time try and straighten your raised leg, before easing it closer towards your chest.
Once more, your raised thigh should stretch appropriately; however, unlike before, where just the top of the thigh felt the burn, your whole thigh should get a good workout, and you will feel the stretch within it the whole time. Remember to keep your back as flat as possible on the floor during both variations. Repeat with the other leg. And again, focus on easy breathing as you move.
The above positions can be varied to allow you to get more out of your stretches. The easier lying hamstring stretch can be varied by changing the position of the lower leg. Simply by twisting it in over your chest. Ease the leg into position, taking care not to pull on it forcefully to get it where it needs to be.
Sit upright, keeping the right leg out. Bend your left knee to the side and place the bottom of your left foot against the inside of your right thigh. Make sure you keep your toes pointed up during this exercise. Using your hands, move down your leg, bending at the hips to achieve this exercise. Let your right hamstring get a good stretch. Repeat by switching legs.
Trick - Get every part of that hamstring stretched by making your toes point a different direction east time you lean forward.
Chair Stretch For Hamstrings
Use a chair or any other type of sturdy object that is knee-high and place your right foot on the edge. Your left foot should be kept firmly on the floor. Achieve a slight bend of the right knee. While keeping your back straight, you should lean forward at the hips. Let your right hamstring stretch as much as it can. Repeat by switching legs.
There are many forms of hamstring stretches that can be performed. If you can start doing these proper hamstring stretches each day before your workout routine, you will increase your flexibility, reduce any lower back pain you might be experiencing and will also work to prevent any injuries that might occur.
P.S. Don’t forget to visit my blog posting “How To Do Proper Hamstring Stretches“, for some detailed example video’s.
