Tight hamstrings can be a very big problem. They can limit your range of motion and leave you apt to pull a muscle with one powerful kick or they can tilt your pelvis and give you a backache. It isn’t hard to stretch but very few take the time and that comes back to hassle them in the end. In today’s stretch I am using a flat band but you could also use a towel, belt or a piece of rope.
Seated Flat Band Hamstring Stretch
You will need a bench or 2 chairs side by side, a flat stretch band, comfortable clothing [you can move in] and running shoes. This stretch is best performed after a 5-10 minute warmup or a training session.
Sit on the bench with one leg up and straight on the bench and the other beside the bench
Loop the flat band around the ball of the ‘up’ foot and keep the band stretched out wide
Grasp the ends of the band in front of you then engage your core muscles and sit up straight
Take a deep breath then exhale and lean forward and guide your chin towards your toes
Maintain a flat back and strong core
Hold the stretch for 30 seconds and repeat three times on each side. Be sure not to bounce.
This stretch can be performed daily.
Always stretch to the point of “feeling” the stretch but not to feeling sharp or unbearable pain.
As we now know how to stretch the hamstrings ..... next week we will train the hamstrings.