Word Finder - hamstrings

definition

One of the great tendons situated in each side of the ham, or space back of the knee, and connected with the muscles of the back of the thigh.

definition

The biceps femoris, semimembranosus, and semitendinosus muscles.

synonyms

• hams

definition

To lame or disable by cutting the tendons of the ham or knee; to hough.

synonyms

• hock
• hough
• hox

definition

To cripple; to incapacitate; to disable.

synonyms

• cripple
• disable
• incapacitate

An example is leg swings to stretch the hamstrings.

Katharine Merry, sidelined from the Spar European Cup by tight hamstrings, ran a 200m personal best, 22.76 seconds.

Sprinters and football players generally have stronger quadriceps than hamstrings.

This exercise works a whole range of muscles including quadriceps, hamstrings, abdominals and lower back.

Works the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes and lower back.

Built with foam padding to protect the hip and thigh joints and the tailbone, they also include compression that supports the hamstrings and quads.

On the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website, there is a helpful pictorial guideline to performing a variety of stretches for every part of the body, including the shoulders, lower back, hips, knees, calves, and hamstrings.

You can also add a gentle stretch for your hamstrings by flexing your feet.

Leg curls are weight bearing exercises for the hamstrings that also require gym equipment.

It's also a great stretch for the hamstrings and hips, improves digestion and reduces fatigue.

Sit on a block if your hamstrings or front of the legs are tight.

Many of the asanas that help the hips are similar to poses used to release tight hamstrings, so you'll get a dual benefit from the effort.

This posture will release tight hamstrings and increase circulation, stimulating the brain.

Overworked muscles can be relaxed and stretched by doing the right yoga poses; for example, yoga poses for tight hamstrings are a great addition to a runner's exercise regime.

Not only will you get relief from the tight hamstrings, but you will also lengthen your muscles and have a leaner leg instead of the bulkier lower leg that many runners develop.

Forward folds and bends are great stretches for hamstrings.

If the hamstrings are tight, bend the knees to allow the spine to lengthen fully.

As a stretch alone, it is valuable for stretching out the hamstrings and leg muscles.

Lean forward with your torso, to stretch your back and hamstrings and lean laterally to each side to improve the flexibility in each leg.

Free weight exercises for the lower body are usually compound exercises that target several muscle groups at once, including the glutes, hamstrings, quads, calves and other, smaller leg muscles of the hips and groin.

Once the upper body is parallel with the floor, use the hamstrings and lower back to pull yourself back into the standing position (keep the back straight).

This includes the quadriceps, calves, hamstrings, and Achilles tendons.

Lunges are ideal for working your glutes, quads, inner and outer thighs and hamstrings.

This butt burning exercise will help shape your glutes, hamstrings and lower back.

As you return to start position, contract your hamstrings and glutes.

For example, women whose quadriceps are significantly stronger than their hamstrings may be susceptible to ACL injuries.

Lunges also strengthen your hamstrings and glutes by using repetitive and specific movements through an endurance-designed routine.

Glutes and hamstrings will reap the rewards by gaining flexibility, size, and toning.

Once you reach your goal level, stick to the maximum reps so your quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes stay toned and strong.

The hamstrings are located in the back of the leg and assist with leg flexion.

For example, most people, especially women, have stronger quadriceps than hamstrings.

By performing more strength training exercises for the hamstrings, and more stretches for the quadriceps, you can eventually change the shape of your legs, and improve your movement efficiency.

For most people, the leg extension machine is more user friendly than the leg curl machine, which works the hamstrings.

To work your hamstrings, tie the band around your ankles, or purchase a special ankle band designed for leg exercises.

Additionally, the muscles of the hamstrings and buttocks are getting a decent workout, along with muscles in the abdominal and oblique area.

The squat works the hamstrings, quadriceps and gluteals.

The lunge also tones the hamstrings, quadriceps and gluteal muscles.

The adductors, or the inner thighs work to stabilize the knee during the leg press movement and the hamstrings provide dynamic stabilization.

Many people, especially women, have considerably weaker hamstrings than quadriceps.

Exercises performed on the hands and knees can tone the hamstrings and gluteal muscles.

Female athletes are often weaker in their hamstrings, which is the back of the leg, than in the quadriceps, the front of the thigh.

Over-stretched hamstrings may reinforce this tendency.

Muscle groups exercised by push ups include your chest, shoulders, biceps and triceps, hands and forearms, your entire back, quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes and calves.

For example, many women are stronger on the front of their thighs and weaker in their hamstrings.

Stretching the quadriceps and strengthening the hamstrings can correct this imbalance.

A good stretching progression includes quadriceps, hamstrings, hip flexors, inner thighs, outer thighs, calves, lower back, abdominals, upper back muscles, shoulders, chest, neck, biceps, triceps and forearms.

As with your upper body, you want to work the stronger muscles of your quads and hamstrings first before working the muscles of your lower legs.

While not large muscles like your quads or hamstrings, your calf muscles work hard during your average day, helping you to move and maintain balance.

If you attend a fitness center or gym on a regular basis, you've probably seen some leg curl machines that target your hamstrings, and maybe a kickback machine that targets your glutes.

The reality of it is that the hamstrings are one of the hardest areas to train and tone.