Hamstrings play a crucial role in being able to properly walk, run, and jump. Your daily movement is directly impacted by how strong and flexible these muscles are. An easy way to maintain their strength is by regularly stretching them to prevent tightness and immobility. Not sure where to start? Try out this hamstring stretch that hundreds of StretchLab members love!
Benefits of Stretching Hamstring
Do you ever have trouble bending over to reach for something on the floor? Or felt tightness in the back of your thighs after a run? You likely have tight hamstrings and need a good stretch!
Hamstrings are the muscles situated at the back of the thighs and connect the glutes to the calves. Stretching your hamstrings can help relieve tightness and increase flexibility, allowing for better mobility in your lower body. With this increased flexibility, a person is able to move with more ease, as well as improve their fitness and sports performance!
Reducing tightness in hamstrings can also improve posture and lower back pain. For many people, back pain can be directly tied to poor posture. When hamstrings are tight, this can cause a posterior pelvic tilt, altering a person’s posture. While possible to quickly correct, tight hamstrings can make it hard to correct posture for an extended period of time. By stretching these muscles, a person is able to properly correct this tilt, resulting in better posture and less back pain.
3 Reasons to Love This Hamstring Stretch
A hamstring stretch that many find relief from is done by laying on your back with one leg lifted straight to the sky while slightly being pulled towards your chest. This allows the muscles to get a deep stretch and feels amazing after. You can do this stretch alone, or with the assistance of a partner!
This stretch is routinely incorporated into assisted stretch sessions done at StretchLab because of these 3 amazing reasons.
1) It directly targets the hamstrings and can help to relieve tension.
2) It’s a simple and effective stretch that is applicable for anybody, no matter their age or flexibility level!
3) In addition to helping relieve tension in the thighs, it can also help relieve lower back tension.
If you’re looking for a stretch that’s easy, great for directly targeting hamstrings, and can have added benefits beyond just relieving tension in hamstrings, then this stretch is one to try!
Doing a Hamstring Stretch on Your Own vs Assisted
This hamstring stretch is great to do on your own after a workout or even if you’re having trouble bending down to tie your shoes. If you’re feeling especially tight or have trouble reaching for your leg, you may need a little assistance by using a stretch strap or dog leash; just be careful not to push yourself too far! While you do want to feel tension in your hamstrings, this stretch should never hurt.
This is why this is also a great stretch to do with a partner! A partner can help push your leg further for a deeper stretch, maintaining that control while you focus on breathing. The added benefit of doing an assisted stretch with a professional is they will know how far to push you to achieve a deep stretch without hurting you. Some, like our stretch practitioners, will also know how to incorporate Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), an advanced stretching technique. Incorporating PNF can help enhance the benefits and help you achieve better flexibility.
Want to experience for yourself the difference of having this loved stretch done by a professional? Find a StretchLab near you to get started!
