Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

These 5 hamstring stretch exercises are guaranteed to loosen you up

Do these moves to improve hamstring flexibility

man stretching hamstring.
Michael DeMoya / Unsplash

The hamstring muscles are located at the back of the thigh and are used for everyday activities such as walking, running, and climbing stairs. This muscle group, which consists of three separate muscles, also helps the legs perform other movements, such as squatting.

It is, therefore, important to keep the hamstrings from tightening or weakening. The best way to accomplish this is by keeping the hamstrings flexible. Even a regular hamstring stretch can prevent muscle pain, tightness, and muscle pulls from occurring.

Recommended Videos

Tight or pulled hamstrings can decrease mobility and increase discomfort even without doing any rigorous activity. This is why incorporating hamstring stretch exercises into a workout routine can help alleviate or prevent problems from developing in these crucial muscles.

Whether you’re an athlete aiming to enhance performance or someone looking to improve daily flexibility, hamstring stretches can help make a positive impact on daily leg performance.

Man stretching hamstrings.
Alora Griffiths / Unsplash

Signs you have tight hamstrings

Tight hamstrings are quite common, and many individuals will experience them at some point. Some warning signs to look out for include the loss or limitations to the range of motion the legs can perform. Even a feeling of resistance can be experienced when simply trying to extend a leg fully.

Other more obvious signs include discomfort and pain when performing everyday activities such as walking. Discomfort levels usually increase further still with more vigorous exercise like gym workouts or playing sports like soccer.

Even lower back pain can be attributed to tight hamstrings, usually because tight hamstrings can pull on the pelvis and cause tension in the lower back. If touching the toes is troublesome, then tight hamstrings can be the cause of this as well.

A man reading a book on a couch in the living room.
Westend61 / Adobe Stock

What causes tight hamstrings?

Sedentary lifestyle

Staying active does not only help to boost fitness, burn calories, and decrease body fat, but it also helps to keep muscles loose and strong.

A sedentary lifestyle can be attributed to many things, such as desk jobs, health problems, and age. But over time, inactive muscles can tighten, shorten and weaken, leading to pain and discomfort, which can become another barrier against becoming active.

Muscle imbalances

Workouts should target all muscles and not just certain muscle groups because the body needs to be balanced. All muscles should be given equal attention so that they can work in harmony with each other.

Strong quads and weak hamstrings can cause imbalances in the thighs. Weak hamstring muscles can overcompensate and pull, leading to injury and tightness. However, if the quads and hamstrings are of equal strength, they can work together properly because they work with each other instead of the opposite.

Lack of stretching

Stretching is important before and after exercise; sometimes, these stretching exercises are referred to as warm-ups and cool-downs. If the hamstrings have not been properly prepared for a period of activity, then their range of motion and flexibility may not meet the demands of the activity they are expected to perform, resulting in tightness and even injury.

Man stretching his hamstrings.
Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels

5 stretches for tight hamstrings

1. Seated hamstring stretch

A seated hamstring stretch is a gentle exercise that can help relieve tightness in the hamstrings. It is safe to do, especially for those with balance issues, as it is done seated.

Instructions:

  • Sit on the floor with your legs extended straight in front of you.
  • Gently lean forward from your hips, reaching towards your toes.
  • Keep your back straight and avoid rounding your spine.
  • Hold the stretch for 20 to 30 seconds while breathing deeply.

2. Standing hamstring stretch 

The standing hamstring stretch is another easy-to-perform exercise that can help keep the hamstrings loose and flexible. If back pain is an issue, then this stretch is more back-friendly than a seated stretch because you do not have to lie down. 

Instructions:

  • Stand up straight in front of a chair.
  • Place one foot on the base of the chair with toes pointing upwards.
  • Make sure this leg is straight and not bent at the knee.
  • Bend forwards from the hips and place both palms on the shin of the extended leg. Hold for ten seconds.
  • Slowly return to the starting position.
  • Repeat with the other leg.

3. Wall hamstring stretch

The wall hamstring stretch involves lying down, so a comfortable gym mat and even a pillow can be used for ultimate comfort. It is a gentle exercise that can help with hamstring tightness and even injury.

Instructions:

  • Lie on a mat and support your head on a pillow.
  • Make sure that when you bend your knees, your feet can touch the wall in front of you.
  • Keep one leg bent at the knee with the sole of the foot on the floor.
  • Raise the other leg until it is straight and the heel is in contact with the wall.
  • Push the foot downwards until your leg is straightened and the toes are pointing away from the wall; this should create a stretch in the hamstring.
  • Hold for 30 seconds and repeat with your other leg.

4. Lying hamstring stretch

The hamstrings can also be stretched and loosened in a lying position without a wall. This stretch should be performed using a comfortable padded gym mat to prevent soreness from developing in the neck and back. 

Instructions:

  • Lie on your back with your legs extended until straight, flat on the floor. Your arms should also be straight and by your sides.
  • Slowly raise one leg as high as possible, ensuring it is straight at the knee. The other leg should remain straight too, but always in contact with the floor.
  • Support the raised leg with both hands placed at the back of the thigh or calf.
  • Pull your leg towards your stomach until you feel a slight hamstring pull.
  • Hold the stretch for ten seconds, then return to the starting position.
  • Repeat with the other leg.

5. Dynamic leg swings

Dynamic leg swings can ease muscle cramps and tightness in the legs. They are particularly useful for tightness in the upper leg and hips and can be a helpful warm-up before a run.

Instructions:

  • Stand up straight beside a sturdy support such as a chair.
  • Grip the support with one hand to aid your balance.
  • Swing one leg forwards and backward while keeping the back and neck straight. 
  • Bring the foot to waist height on each swing with both forward and backward motions.
  • Side swipes can be added to this routine, where the legs are swung at an angle.
  • Perform ten swings on each leg to stretch the hamstrings adequately.
Christine VanDoren
Christine is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist with an undergraduate degree from Missouri State University. Her…
Topics
What does grip strength tell you about your risk of chronic disease? New studies
shirtless man in gym doing close grip lat pulldown with cable machine

We often hear fitness buffs discussing bulging biceps, toned triceps, and how to build tree trunk legs on leg day. What’s equally important but not as widely discussed is grip strength. You use your gripping muscles in your hands and wrists every day when you’re doing your functional tasks and when you’re in the gym powering through a deadlift or doing HIIT battle rope exercises like slams, waves, or pulls. Let’s explore the latest research and the importance of grip strength.

Correlations and vital signs

Read more
Can you run the Great Wall of China? The brutal marathon with entrancing scenery
Runners must tackle 5,164 steps and varying terrain to cross the finish line.
the Great wall of China

I enjoy zooming through new places or my favorite trails, draped with those tall, emerald-green oak trees. Running a marathon or simply jogging through your neighborhood is an accomplishment, and for many of us, we get a runner’s high and a rush of feel-good endorphins to go along with it. 

Some marathons are more grueling than others, depending on various factors like the terrain and the weather. Recently, one of the more challenging marathons took the spotlight. While it’s certainly grueling, you’ll also see entrancing scenery and one of the most captivating, historic, cultural landmarks in the world, the Great Wall of China. 

Read more
All you need is 30 minutes and a pair of dumbbells for Arnie’s Pump Club workout
Grab your dumbbells and get ready to pump iron like the legendary bodybuilder.
Man lifting dumbbells overhead

Arnie is known for his impressive strength and muscular physique. Many of us might think we couldn’t possibly work out like Arnie; however, in his Pump Club Newsletter, Arnie shared a refreshingly simple and bite-sized workout for us to try. The best part is you only need 30 minutes and a pair of dumbbells to pump iron like the renowned bodybuilder himself, which is excellent news for those of us with busy schedules. The champion bodybuilder doesn’t want this workout to get complicated with switching machines, weights, and equipment; just grab your dumbbells.

Arnie’s 30-minute workout 

Read more