Thoughts on Beginner Hamstring Strength Progression, Part I

During the quarantine, I have been wanting to get back into blog writing with a different approach; representing how I visually process movement and teach. This post will be among of series on this exploration. Today I want to get into hamstring progression and doing hip extension without equipment. I am taking on hamstring strength, because so many people are becoming sedentary and not moving through full hip extension, which can lead to weak hamstrings and injuries - especially during athletic endeavors. Today, I want to share with you a flow of exercises I sometimes use with students.

Screen+Shot+2020-08-12+at+1.56.52+PM.jpg

From my experience, working the core and glutes before challenging the hamstrings can help with certain muscular imbalances that can impact hamstring function and prevent the overuse of the back muscles when doing hamstring exercises, like the bridge. I sometimes add hamstring isometrics when the mind-body connection needs a deeper connection before doing dynamic hamstring exercises.

In the next blog, I will get into specific hamstring exercises.

Link to Part II

Link to The Why, Who, What, When to Beginner Hamstring Strength Exercises