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Hamstring Exercises: Training and Technique

Explore hamstring exercises with barbells, dumbbells, cables, machines and bodyweight. Find technique guidance and practical training variations.

Hamstring exercises target the muscles along the back of the thighs. This category includes hip-hinge movements, leg curls and bodyweight variations using equipment such as barbells, dumbbells, cables and machines.

About hamstring exercises

The hamstrings assist with hip extension and knee flexion. Exercises such as Romanian deadlifts, seated leg curls and glute-ham raises train these functions in different ways. Select a variation that matches your experience and equipment, since range of motion, resistance and setup vary between exercises.

Technique and training guidance

For hip-hinge exercises, keep your spine controlled and send your hips back before standing tall. During leg curls, keep the pad aligned with the lower leg and move smoothly rather than swinging. Use a load you can control, and stop if you feel sharp or unusual pain.

Barbell Bench Squats

Barbell Bench Squats

Barbell bench squats combine the strength of squats with the stability required when using a bench. This unique combination not only provides an intense lower-body workout but also improves your balance and coordination. Execution Begin by placing a barbell across your shoulders, just as you wou

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Box Squat

Barbell Box Squat

The Barbell Box Squat is a powerful exercise that targets strengthening your lower body, with a special focus on your quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. This variation of the traditional squat helps you improve depth and technique while reducing the risk of injury through the support of the box. E

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Bulgarian Split Squat

Barbell Bulgarian Split Squat

The Barbell Bulgarian Split Squat is a powerful exercise that targets the lower-body muscles, with a unique variation on the traditional squat. By placing one foot on an elevated surface behind you, the focus shifts to one leg at a time, providing an intense workout for balance, strength, and stabil

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Bulgarian Split Squat Left Front Back View

Barbell Bulgarian Split Squat Left Front Back View

The Barbell Bulgarian Split Squat is a powerful exercise that targets strengthening and toning your lower body, with a particular focus on the legs and glutes. This variation offers a unique twist on the traditional squat by placing one leg on an elevated surface behind you, providing a deeper stret

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Bulgarian Split Squat Left Front-Back View

Barbell Bulgarian Split Squat Left Front-Back View

The Barbell Bulgarian Split Squat is a powerful exercise that focuses on improving your balance, strength, and stability. By placing one leg on an elevated surface behind you, the focus is placed on the front leg, allowing you to work the muscles more deeply than with traditional squats. Execution

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Bulgarian Split Squat Left Side View

Barbell Bulgarian Split Squat Left Side View

The Barbell Bulgarian Split Squat is a powerful exercise that targets the lower-body muscles, with a focus on one leg at a time. This provides a unique workout that improves not only your strength, but also your balance and coordination. Execution Find an elevated surface, such as a bench, and p

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Clean and Jerk Split Squat

Barbell Clean and Jerk Split Squat

If you are looking for a dynamic exercise that challenges both your strength and coordination, the Barbell Clean and Jerk Split Squat is for you. This exercise combines the explosive power of the clean and jerk with the stability and strength of the split squat, making it an excellent choice for dev

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Clean Deadlift

Barbell Clean Deadlift

The Barbell Clean Deadlift is a powerful compound exercise that not only improves your strength and explosiveness but also contributes to better posture and functional movement in daily life. This exercise combines the technique of a deadlift with a clean, making it a challenging addition to your tr

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Clean Grip Front Squat

Barbell Clean Grip Front Squat

The Barbell Clean Grip Front Squat is a powerful exercise that focuses on strengthening your lower body and improving your posture. This variation of the traditional squat emphasizes the front of your body, intensely training your quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes while also engaging your core and

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Curtsy Lunges

Barbell Curtsy Lunges

The Barbell Curtsy Lunge is a dynamic exercise that targets strengthening and toning your lower body, with a unique twist compared with the traditional lunge. This exercise not only improves your strength, but also your balance and coordination by adding a diagonal movement. Execution Begin by p

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Deadlift

Barbell Deadlift

The deadlift is also known as the king of all exercises. Looking at the list of muscles involved above, you can infer why. The muscles in the calves bring the forward-projecting lower legs back into alignment above the ankles when you stand up and also work to stabilize throughout the entire moveme

Glutes Strength Training
Barbell Deadlift 360 Degrees 2

Barbell Deadlift 360 Degrees 2

The Barbell Deadlift 360 Degrees 2 is a dynamic variation of the traditional deadlift that not only builds strength but also improves stability and coordination. The rotational movement challenges your muscles in a unique way, providing a comprehensive workout. Execution Begin with your feet hip

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Front Chest Bench Squat

Barbell Front Chest Bench Squat

The Barbell Front Chest Bench Squat is a dynamic exercise that can significantly improve the strength and stability of your upper body. By combining a squat with a front press, you work not only your legs but also your chest, shoulders, and core intensively. Execution Begin by placing the barbel

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Front Chest Lunges

Barbell Front Chest Lunges

If you're looking for an exercise that improves both your strength and coordination, Barbell Front Chest Lunges are an excellent choice. This exercise combines the benefits of lunges with the added weight of a barbell, working not only your lower body but also your upper body and core. Execution

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Front Chest Squat

Barbell Front Chest Squat

The Barbell Front Chest Squat is a powerful exercise that targets the development of your lower body and core while also improving stability and balance. This variation of the traditional squat places more emphasis on the quadriceps and anterior muscle chains, making it a unique addition to your tra

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Front Lunges With Small Pause

Barbell Front Lunges With Small Pause

Barbell Front Lunges With Small Pause is a dynamic exercise that focuses on improving your strength, balance, and coordination. By pausing briefly with each step, you increase the intensity and focus on the muscles being trained. Execution Begin by placing a barbell on your shoulders, just in fr

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Front Squat

Barbell Front Squat

The squat is one of the best-known exercises for the legs. It is a compound exercise; an exercise that involves multiple joints and muscle groups. This is also evident from the long list of muscles involved, as listed above. There can be many differences in how the squat is performed, such as with o

Quads CrossFit
Barbell Front Squats

Barbell Front Squats

If you are looking for an exercise that can significantly improve your strength and stability, Barbell Front Squats are an excellent choice. This variation of the traditional squat places more emphasis on the front of your body, giving your quadriceps, core, and upper back an extra challenge. Execu

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Full Squat

Barbell Full Squat

The squat is one of the best-known exercises for the legs. It is a compound exercise; an exercise that involves multiple joints and muscle groups. This is also evident from the long list of muscles involved, as listed above. There can be many differences in how the squat is performed, such as with o

Quads CrossFit
Barbell Full Squat Side View

Barbell Full Squat Side View

The Barbell Full Squat is a powerful exercise that focuses on strengthening your lower body. Performing this exercise from a side perspective (Side POV) gives you a unique view of your posture and technique, which can help improve your performance and reduce the risk of injury. Execution Start b

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Glute Bridge

Barbell Glute Bridge

If you're looking for an effective way to strengthen your glutes, the Barbell Glute Bridge is an excellent choice. This exercise targets not only your glutes but also improves the stability of your core and lower back. Execution Lie on your back on the floor, with your knees bent and your feet f

Glutes Strength Training
Barbell Good Morning

Barbell Good Morning

The good morning is an exercise that primarily targets the hamstrings, glutes, and the muscles in the lower back and spine. The hamstrings and glutes have to work hard to bring the torso upright by aligning the thighs and back. The erector spinae running along the spine helps straighten the back. Ot

Glutes Strength Training
Barbell Good Morning

Barbell Good Morning

If you are looking for an effective way to strengthen your lower back, hamstrings, and glutes, the Barbell Good Morning is an excellent choice. This exercise, which gets its name from its resemblance to a morning greeting, offers unique benefits for improving your posture and increasing your overall

Glutes Strength Training
Barbell Good Morning

Barbell Good Morning

The Barbell Good Morning is a powerful exercise that targets the back of your body, particularly the hamstrings, glutes, and lower back. This exercise is unique because it not only improves your strength but also contributes to your flexibility and posture. Execution Begin with your feet shoulde

Hamstrings Strength Training