Walking is hurting my hamstring, why?

AislingRA
AislingRA Posts: 56
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
For some reason I keep hurting my hamstring when I go on long walks. I do a 5k walk in 60 mins, am grand after it and that night I feel the pain coming on.


I can go for miles on the treadmill in the gym yet the pavements get me.

Could it be my trainers? I am wearing sketchers tone ups

Replies

  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    Try different shoes and stretch stretch stretch! I had a bad hamstring pull last year and it took months to feel fully healed. I did a lot of stretching in that time. I would do them sitting in the floor while watching tv. Doing a quick internet search will point toward some good ones.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Are you stretching afterwards? My hamstrings are always tight from walking, I like to do calf, and hip stretches too.

    http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/flexibilityexercises/ss/Legstretches.htm

    You could change your shoes up once or twice to see if that helps.
  • AislingRA
    AislingRA Posts: 56
    I never stretch when I walk :embarassed:
  • Nigerianebony
    Nigerianebony Posts: 182 Member
    There can be several factors.

    Incline grade on the treadmill,
    Holding on to the bars on the treadmill (lessens muscle works)
    Speed on treadmill vs. on surface (is it consistent when you are outside)
    Is your outside path rolling or pretty much flat?


    But, I agree with others, you need to make sure you stretch after you walk.
  • Becky_Boodle
    Becky_Boodle Posts: 253 Member
    try doing a bit of a warm up before your walk...
    jumping jacks or squats or just kick your heels to your butt
    these will help get the blood flowing the muscles in you legs...
    then stretch afterwards
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Try a different shoe and try stretching after your walk. Tight hamstrings are quite common (especially in office workers who sit most of the day, more common in men than women) , can you touch your toes?

    Here's a link to hamstring stretches on runnersworld.com http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/microsite/article/0,8029,s6-241-287-0-13058-0,00.html

    You may also want to invest in a foam roller, mine has become my best friend (more for IT band issues but I also roll my hamstrings and quads after a run)
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Standing stretches are easier to do after a walk..... hopefully these make sense

    Standing Hamstring - put one foot out in front of you. "Squat" on the back leg, point toes (of your front foot) up so that the heel is on the floor, and then push your hips back.

    Standing Calf - plant one foot on the floor in back of you. "Lunge" forward on the opposite leg, keeping back foot planted. Bend forward at the waist for a deeper stretch

    Standing hip opener - cross your ankle over your leg (above the knee) then squat on the standing leg.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories