Hamstrings
The three muscles on the back of the thigh responsible for knee flexion and hip extension.
Updated
The hamstrings consist of three muscles: biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus. They extend the hip and flex the knee. Weak hamstrings relative to quads can lead to injury. Romanian deadlifts, leg curls, and glute-ham raises effectively target the hamstrings.
Examples
- RDLs stretch and strengthen hamstrings
- Leg curls isolate the hamstrings
- Sprinting heavily uses hamstrings
Related Terms
Exercises that train the hamstrings
79 exercises in the library target the hamstrings as their primary muscle.
Seated Hamstring and Calf Stretch
Stretching · Other
Seated Leg Curl
Strength · Machine
Smith Machine Hang Power Clean
Strength · Machine
Smith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift
Strength · Machine
Snatch Deadlift
Olympic Weightlifting · Barbell
Snatch Pull
Strength · Barbell
Split Snatch
Olympic Weightlifting · Barbell
Split Squats
Stretching · None
Common questions
What is Hamstrings?
The three muscles on the back of the thigh responsible for knee flexion and hip extension. The hamstrings consist of three muscles: biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus.
What exercises train the Hamstrings?
Good options include Seated Hamstring and Calf Stretch, Seated Leg Curl, Smith Machine Hang Power Clean, Smith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift, Snatch Deadlift. Each links to a step-by-step guide with demonstration images.
What are examples of Hamstrings?
RDLs stretch and strengthen hamstrings; Leg curls isolate the hamstrings; Sprinting heavily uses hamstrings.
Put it into practice
12-Week Muscle Building · £29
A 12-week, four-day hypertrophy plan in three phases, with a modest calorie surplus