Loosening those Tight Hamstrings

[amyg]

Cathe & All-

My hamstrings seem to be the tighest muscle all the time. I swear, I do the stretches at the end of all your workouts, and sometimes throughout the day when I'm standing and lean over.

Do you have any additional tips on how to loosen those suckers? I do yoga about once a week, but don't have either Total Stretch or Stretch Max (yet!).

I'm also curious how I'll be able to know if I'm improving, and how long you think it should take before I notice a difference?

Thanks so much for all your help all the time!

 

[bceogirl]

BUMP!!!!!

When I lay on my back to do a hamstring stretch and Cathe and crew have their feet over their faces (legs straight, pointing towards the back wall ) , mine are bent and feet towards the sky, NOT over face, towards backwall..Straight up!
The back of my leg muscles are pulled tight like banjo strings!
My dad's are too, so I guess it's genetic, but I'd LOVE to work to loosen them up and have more flexibility.
Any suggestions appreciated!!!

 

[amyg]

I'm like you, Becky- trying to get my legs straight on some of those stretches seems impossible!

 

[kathryn]

Some ideas:
Prioritize stretching your hamstrings by stretching them daily (after a good warm-up, or maybe a walk).

Do several stretches(supine hamstring stretch, seated ham stretch, standing ham stretch--either with split legs, one forward, one back, to get the entire lower body, or with just one leg forward, sitting back into the stretch). Hold each stretch 15-20 seconds.

Don't just rely on stretches in videos. Even some of Cathe's stretches sometimes skimp on hamstrings (it's a common tight area). Add some more of your own.

 

[jordan]

Hi Amy,

I have never had problems with my hamstrings until recently. I started running and I really feel tight afterwards. I have to make it a priority to add a nice long stretch session everyday, in addition to my end of workout stretches. Don't skimp here or you'll end up with an injury but I guess you already know that.

jordan