Do your hamstrings feel like they’re getting left out in your workouts? Don’t worry, you can work on these important muscles right at home. Learn how to use bodyweight exercises to make your hamstrings strong and supportive for your fitness goals.
Want to turn your home into a place where you can strengthen your hamstrings? Check out this detailed guide. It will show you how to do a great home hamstring workout. You’ll feel stronger, more flexible, and less likely to get hurt.
Key Takeaways
- Bodyweight hamstring exercises can be done at home in under 20 minutes for beginners to advanced exercisers.
- Various exercises like Nordic hamstring curls, single-leg deadlifts, and glute bridges effectively target the hamstring muscles.
- Strengthening the hamstrings can help prevent injuries, particularly for individuals involved in sports like martial arts, dance, and gymnastics.
- Single-leg exercises challenge balance and stability, identifying any leg strength asymmetries.
- Home hamstring workouts can be customized using bodyweight, resistance bands, or dumbbells to progressively overload the muscles.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Hamstring Exercises at Home
Hamstring muscles are key to our daily movements and fitness. They’re at the back of your thighs. They help you extend your hips and bend your knees. Having strong hamstrings boosts your lower body performance and makes moving easier.
Importance of Hamstring Strength
Strong hamstrings are crucial for many reasons. They help you lift objects off the ground, like during a deadlift or when picking up heavy items. They also make sure your posterior chain works well, which includes your glutes and lower back muscles. This helps keep your posture right and lowers injury risk.
Benefits of Bodyweight Hamstring Exercises
You can strengthen your hamstrings without a gym or expensive gear. Bodyweight hamstring exercises are easy and effective for building muscle and boosting lower body strength. You can do these exercises at home, needing little space and no special equipment.
Here are the main benefits of doing bodyweight hamstring exercises:
- Improved hip and knee flexibility
- Enhanced glute and core activation
- Increased lower body strength and stability
- Reduced risk of lower back pain and injury
- Convenient and accessible workout options
By focusing on bodyweight exercises for your hamstrings, you can have a complete and effective workout at home. You won’t need a gym membership or special equipment.
Beginner Bodyweight Hamstring Exercises
Strengthening your hamstrings doesn’t need fancy equipment or a gym membership. These beginner exercises can help you build hamstring strength and mobility at home. Let’s look at four effective moves that target your hamstrings without any extra gear.
Good Morning
The good morning exercise works on the hamstrings and lower back. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees a bit bent. Bend at the hips to lower your torso, keeping your back straight. Pause, then go back to the starting position. Do 2-3 sets of 8-12 reps.
Bodyweight Romanian Deadlift
The bodyweight Romanian deadlift focuses on the hamstrings. Stand with your feet hip-width apart, knees a bit bent. Bend at the hips to lower your torso, keeping your back straight. Pause, then return to the start. Do 2-3 sets of 8-12 reps.
Crabwalk
The crabwalk is a functional exercise that works your glutes and hamstrings. Start in a tabletop position, with your hands and feet on the ground. Walk sideways for 30 seconds, then switch directions.
Prone (Lying) Hamstring Curl
Lie face-down on the floor, with your legs straight and arms at your sides. Bend your knees to bring your heels towards your glutes, then lower back down. Aim for 2-3 sets of 12-15 reps.
These beginner exercises are a great way to start building hamstring strength and flexibility at home. Add them to your routine, and you’ll see stronger, more mobile hamstrings soon.
Intermediate Bodyweight Hamstring Exercises
As you move forward in your fitness journey, adding tougher bodyweight exercises can boost your hamstring strength. Consider trying the reverse lunge and the single-leg deadlift for a challenge.
Reverse Lunge
The reverse lunge works on your hamstrings, along with your quadriceps and glutes. Begin with your feet shoulder-width apart. Then, step back with one leg, lowering your hips until your front thigh is level with the ground and your back knee almost touches the floor. Push back up and switch sides. Keep your posture straight and engage your core.
Single-Leg Deadlift
The single-leg deadlift tests your balance and stability, focusing on your hamstrings. Stand on one leg, with a slight bend in the knee. Bend at the hip to lower your body, extending the other leg behind you. Pause, then go back to standing. Do the same on the other side, keeping your back flat and core tight.
Adding these intermediate bodyweight hamstring exercises to your routine can strengthen your muscles, enhance balance, and lower injury risks. Start with a light intensity and slowly increase the difficulty as you get more comfortable with the exercises.
home workout for hamstrings
Strengthening your hamstrings at home is easy and beneficial. These muscles at the back of your thighs are key for mobility, stability, and preventing injuries. By doing home hamstring exercises, you can work on this important muscle group without going to the gym.
The good morning exercise is great for your hamstrings. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, bend forward at the hips, and lower your torso almost to the ground. Keep your back straight, squeeze your glutes, and slowly go back up.
- Do 10-15 reps of good mornings for a hamstring workout.
- Keep your back straight and core tight during the exercise.
- Slowly increase how far you bend as you get stronger.
The crabwalk is another good exercise for your hamstrings. Start in a tabletop position, then move your hands and feet sideways. This movement works your hamstrings in a special way, testing your balance and coordination.
- Do 10-15 steps in each direction, moving slowly and steadily.
- Use your core and glutes to stay stable during the crabwalk.
- Make sure your hands are right under your shoulders and knees are under your hips.
Being consistent is important for building hamstring strength. Add these exercises to your routine 2-3 times a week. You’ll start to see and feel the results soon.
“Strengthening your hamstrings is key for healthy movement. It’s important for activities like martial arts and dance that need a wide range of motion.”
Working on your hamstrings at home will boost your fitness, lower injury risk, and improve your well-being. Take on the challenge and enjoy the path to a stronger, more resilient lower body.
Advanced Bodyweight Hamstring Exercises
Once you’ve learned the basics of hamstring exercises, it’s time to try harder ones. Exercises like the Bulgarian split squat, jump squat, and Nordic hamstring curl need more strength and balance. Adding these to your workouts at home can improve your hamstring strength.
Bulgarian Split Squat
The Bulgarian split squat works on one leg at a time. It targets the hamstrings, glutes, and quadriceps. Stand with one leg in front of the other, with your back foot on a bench or step. Bend the front knee and hip, keeping your upper body straight.
Push back up to start, then do the same on the other side.
Jump Squat
The jump squat is a fun way to work your hamstrings, quadriceps, and glutes. Stand with your feet wide apart. Bend down, then jump up, extending your hips and knees. Land softly and do it again.
Nordic Hamstring Curl
The Nordic hamstring curl targets your hamstrings. Kneel on the floor with your knees close together and ankles tied down. Slowly go down, using your hamstrings to stop yourself. When you can’t go down anymore, use your hands to pull yourself back up.
Adding these exercises to your workouts can make you stronger and more powerful. Always warm up first, focus on doing the exercises right, and slowly make them harder as you get better.
Incorporating Hamstring Exercises into Your Routine
Hamstring exercises are key for a strong strength training plan. They boost lower body strength, lower injury risk, and help you get a balanced look. Make sure to include these exercises often.
The hamstring muscles help with everyday actions like standing, walking, bending, and squatting. If they’re weak or tight, you might face knee, hip, or back pain. Adding different hamstring exercises to your routine keeps muscles balanced and prevents injuries.
To make hamstring workouts part of your routine, follow these tips:
- Compound Exercises: Use deadlifts and hip thrusts that work the hamstrings and other muscles too. These exercises are efficient and functional for your legs.
- Isolation Exercises: Add exercises like seated leg curls to target and strengthen the hamstrings directly.
- Progression and Variation: Make your hamstring exercises harder by adding weights, changing rep counts, or trying new moves like the Nordic hamstring curl.
- Frequency and Recovery: Train your hamstrings 2-3 times a week, resting well between sessions. This helps avoid injuries and supports long-term progress.
Using these tips, you can how to incorporate hamstring exercises and integrating hamstring workouts effectively. This will help you build a stronger, more resilient lower body. Remember, being consistent and using proper form is crucial for the best results.
“Hamstring strength is crucial for preventing injuries and maintaining a balanced, proportional physique.”

Warm-Up and Stretching for Hamstring Exercises
Before starting your hamstring exercises, make sure to warm up and stretch. This step is key to doing better and staying safe. Use dynamic stretches and drills that focus on the hamstrings and the muscles behind them.
The hamstrings are made up of three muscles that go from the hip to the knee, as explained by ExRx.net. These muscles can get tired and hurt easily, says the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. To get ready, don’t do static stretches before exercising. They might make your muscles relax too much, warns the American Council on Exercise.
Instead, try dynamic warm-up moves like butt kicks and leg curls to get your hamstrings ready. You can also use resistance bands for Romanian deadlifts to keep your hamstrings from getting too tired before your workout. Do 10 reps of moves like the sliding leg curl and the back extension machine to warm up your hamstrings well, as the American Council on Exercise suggests.
Remember, if your hamstrings are tight, it can hurt your back. This happens because your hamstrings connect to your low back through your glutes. Activities like running, skiing, and squats can make your hamstrings tight if you don’t stretch them out afterwards. Sitting a lot, like at a desk, can also make them tight.
To keep your hamstrings healthy and flexible, add dynamic stretching to your routine. This kind of stretching is great before working out to make your muscles stronger. Here are six stretches to help loosen tight hamstrings:
- Leg extended stretch over a bar or counter
- Standing forward bend while rolling down and up the body
- Quadruped hamstring curls on all fours
- Supine hamstring lowering with leg extended towards the ceiling
- Seated stretch with crossed legs pressing the knee away
- Seated position with one leg extended and the other folded, reaching for the shin or foot
By adding these warm-up and stretching exercises to your routine, you’ll be set for a great hamstring workout without getting hurt.
Progression and Variations for Increased Challenge
As you get better at your home workouts, you can make your progressing hamstring exercises harder. This keeps you seeing progress in hamstring strength and muscle growth.
Adding resistance bands is a great way to increase the challenge. Use a band around your thighs or ankles during exercises like the variations of bodyweight hamstring exercises. This includes the Romanian Deadlift or Single-Leg Deadlift. The extra resistance makes these exercises tougher.
Another way to challenge yourself is by using weights during exercises like the Good Morning or Jump Squat. Start with light weights and slowly add more as you get stronger.
- Try the Nordic Hamstring Curl for a big challenge. This exercise works the hamstrings in a special way and needs a lot of strength and control.
- The Bulgarian Split Squat is also a great step up. It works the hamstrings and also uses the glutes and quadriceps.
It’s important to slowly make exercises harder over time. This way, you keep making progress and avoid hitting a plateau in your hamstring growth.
Exercise | Difficulty Level | Targeted Muscles |
---|---|---|
Good Morning | Beginner | Hamstrings, Glutes |
Single-Leg Deadlift | Intermediate | Hamstrings, Glutes |
Bulgarian Split Squat | Advanced | Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Glutes |
Nordic Hamstring Curl | Expert | Hamstrings |

“The hamstring muscle makes up around 1/3 of the leg mass, so it’s crucial to include targeted exercises to build strength and prevent injuries.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Hamstring Exercises
When working on your hamstrings, it’s key to use the right form and technique. Making sure to avoid common errors can help you get the best results from your exercises. It also lowers the chance of getting hurt. Here are some mistakes to avoid:
- Rounding the Back: Keeping your spine neutral is important in exercises like the Romanian deadlift or good morning. Don’t round your back, as it puts stress on your lower back and lessens the exercise’s effect.
- Locking Out the Knees: Locking your knees during exercises like the leg curl or hip raise takes tension off your hamstrings and puts it on your joints. Keep your knees slightly bent to focus on your hamstring muscles.
- Using Momentum: Using momentum instead of controlled movements lessens the effectiveness of your hamstring exercises. Slow down, focus on the lowering phase, and avoid swinging or bouncing the weight.
- Neglecting Proper Range of Motion: A full range of motion is key for working all your hamstring muscles. Don’t cut your reps short or use too heavy weights, which can hurt your form.
Avoid these common mistakes and focus on proper form for hamstring exercises. This way, you’ll effectively work on your hamstring muscles. It will lead to better strength, performance, and injury prevention.
“Paying attention to proper form and technique is crucial when it comes to hamstring exercises. Avoid common mistakes to get the most out of your workouts and reduce the risk of injury.”
Balancing Hamstring and Quadriceps Exercises
It’s key to balance your hamstrings and quadriceps for good lower body health and performance. An imbalance between these muscles can cause joint problems, increase injury risk, and lower athletic performance. Doing exercises that work both muscle groups helps keep them in balance and prevents problems.
The quadriceps are the biggest and strongest muscles in your body. They help move your knee and power many actions. The hamstrings, at the back of your thighs, help move your hip, bend your knee, and keep your knee stable. If you ignore either muscle, you might get muscle imbalances and be more likely to get hurt. This could lead to injuries like ACL tears, patellar tendinitis, or hamstring strains.
- Do hamstring-focused exercises like deadlifts, Nordic hamstring curls, and leg curls to strengthen the back of your legs.
- Balance these with quadriceps-targeting exercises like squats, lunges, and leg extensions to make sure your quads get enough work.
- Always use the right form and technique to avoid muscle imbalances or joint problems.
Training both your hamstrings and quadriceps equally helps you have a strong, injury-free lower body. This balanced way of training will boost your athletic skills and keep your muscles healthy over time.
“Strength training to maintain a balanced muscle development between the hamstrings and quadriceps is essential for injury prevention and overall fitness.”
Conclusion
Adding bodyweight hamstring exercises to your routine is easy and effective. It strengthens this often-overlooked muscle group. Doing these exercises regularly can boost your lower body strength, lower injury risk, and help you get a balanced, even physique. You don’t need a gym membership or expensive gear.
The benefits of bodyweight hamstring exercises are many. They improve your athletic performance, help with posture, and manage pain. Whether you’re just starting or you’re advanced, there are many variations and progressions to try. This keeps your workouts interesting and challenging.
By making bodyweight hamstring exercises a key part of your home workouts, you’re taking a big step towards a stronger, more resilient lower body. So, start today and see how powerful your hamstrings can be. You’ll be on your way to a healthier, more capable you.
FAQ
What are the primary functions of the hamstring muscles?
Hamstrings help extend the hip and bend the knee. They are key for lifting and keeping the body balanced.
What are the benefits of bodyweight hamstring exercises?
These exercises strengthen your legs without gym gear. They improve strength, endurance, and muscle tone.
What are some beginner-level bodyweight hamstring exercises?
Beginners can start with good mornings, bodyweight Romanian deadlifts, crabwalks, and prone hamstring curls. These exercises boost hamstring strength and mobility.
What are some intermediate bodyweight hamstring exercises?
Intermediate exercises include the reverse lunge and single-leg deadlift. They focus on balance and work each leg separately, challenging the hamstrings more.
What are some advanced bodyweight hamstring exercises?
Advanced exercises like the Bulgarian split squat, jump squat, and Nordic hamstring curl are next steps. They need more strength, balance, and control.
Why is it important to warm up and stretch before doing hamstring exercises?
Warming up and stretching prepare your body for better performance and injury prevention. Use dynamic stretches and mobility drills to get ready.
How can I progress my hamstring exercises to increase the challenge?
Increase the challenge by adding resistance bands, weights, or advanced moves like jump squats and Nordic curls. Gradually upping the difficulty helps improve hamstring strength and muscle.
What are some common mistakes to avoid during hamstring exercises?
Focus on proper form and technique to avoid injury. Don’t round your back, lock knees, or use momentum. Stick to controlled movements.
Why is it important to maintain a balance between hamstring and quadriceps strength?
An imbalance can cause muscle problems, joint issues, and increase injury risk. It’s key to work on both muscle groups for lower body health.

What’s up, fitness warriors? My name is Bryce Weller, and I’m your go-to guy for quick, no-excuses workouts that fit into your crazy schedule. As a former collegiate athlete and now full-time fitness coach, I’m all about functional training that makes you stronger, faster, and ready to crush whatever life throws your way. Whether you’re at the gym or working out from home, I’ve got simple, effective routines that will get you moving and feeling awesome!