Seated Hamstring Stretch
A seated stretch that targets the hamstrings using a simple forward reach.
Also called: hamstring stretch, seated hamstring stretch holds
Setup
Sit with one leg extended straight in front of you and the other leg bent, foot resting against your inner thigh.
How to do the Seated Hamstring Stretch
- Hinge forward from the hips over the extended leg, keeping your back long.
- Reach toward your foot or shin, going only as far as feels comfortable.
- Hold, breathing steadily, easing deeper with each exhale.
- Switch legs and repeat.
Coach's notes
Keep the extended leg's knee soft rather than locked straight.
Seated Hamstring Stretch muscles worked
The Seated Hamstring Stretch works the hamstrings.
Pairs well with
Back Squat
The barbell squat — the heaviest-loadable lower-body strength lift, building quads, glutes, and trunk strength together.
Deadlift
Lifting a barbell from the floor by hinging at the hips — the fundamental full-body strength lift for the posterior chain.
Downward Dog
An inverted V hold on hands and feet - lengthens the calves, hamstrings and spine while opening the shoulders; a staple runner cool-down pose.
Foam Roll: Hamstrings
Rolling the back of the thigh over a foam roller to release tightness in the hamstrings.
Illustrations: Exercise data by RepDB (repdb.co)