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Slide show

Slide show: Weight training exercises

By Mayo Clinic staff
 

Photo of woman doing hamstring curl with weight machine

Hamstring curl

The lying hamstring curl is an exercise you can do with a weight machine to strengthen the hamstring muscles in the back of your thighs.

Lie facedown on the weight bench. Position the pad just above your ankles. Slowly bend your knees, pulling your feet toward your buttocks. Only go as far as you can without feeling your pelvis or spine move. You'll feel tension in the back of your thighs. Then slowly return to the starting position. Repeat.

When you're doing lying hamstring curls, use the handgrip for support only. Let your leg muscles do most of the work. Don't pull with your arms or arch your neck or lower back.

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References
  1. Jeffreys I. Warm-up and stretching. In: Baechle TR, et al. Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. 3rd ed. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics; 2008:295.
  2. Pollock ML, et al. Resistance training for health. The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. http://www.fitness.gov/resistance.pdf. Accessed March 1, 2010.
  3. Peterson DM. Overview of the benefits and risks of exercise. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 1, 2010.
  4. Wilmore JH, et al. Principles of exercise training. In: Wilmore JH, et al. Physiology of Sport and Exercise. 4th ed. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics; 2008:186.
  5. Earle RW, et al. Resistance training and spotting techniques. In: Baechle TR, et al. Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. 3rd ed. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics; 2008:325.
  6. Harman E, et al. Administration, scoring, and interpretation of selected tests. In: Baechle TR, et al. Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. 3rd ed. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics; 2008:249.
SM00041 July 2, 2010

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