exercises to tighten and tone hamstrings?

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lframent
lframent Posts: 33
in Fitness and Exercise
I have heard that stiff-leg deadlifts are good for this, but I'd like a bit of a variety. Any suggestions? Thanks and sorry if this's been asked before! xx

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  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
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    Cardio with resistance is great for this. Try hill running or set the treadmill on an incline, cycling or spinning, or using the cross trainer on high resistance.
  • suzycreamcheese
    suzycreamcheese Posts: 1,766 Member
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    why would you want tight hamstrings?
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
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    I get into my hami's a little in squats, I just make sure that I use them. Agreed, an incline is really good for this too, as well as rear leg lifts (with or without weight, ala Jane Fonda).
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
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    why would you want tight hamstrings?

    Working the hami's =/= tight hami's as long as you're stretching. There's a lot of science behind the importance of strong hamstrings and how weak hamstrings compared to strong quads is the driving force behind knee injuries in females starting at a young age and increasing as you ge older and the disporportionate stregth between the two muscle groups increases.

    That's a hell of a run-on sentence.
    another edit: just realized she did use the word "tighten" . . . I don't think that's really the right word to use. Tone, stregthen, but not tighten. leaving your hamstrings "tight" causes lower back pain, head aches, and can be a cause (like my DH) for plantars.
  • OneFitMom_
    OneFitMom_ Posts: 151 Member
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    I love doing squats, lunges, and deadlifts.
  • lframent
    lframent Posts: 33
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    Thanks for all your help, everyone!
    And yes, allabtlm, I meant tone and strengthen. By tighten, I meant get rid of excess fat and really get into building a bit of muscle. Hope all is well, xx

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