FITsociety IO
Book a demo

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 Power Snatch

Barbell Power Snatch

The Barbell Power Snatch is a dynamic compound exercise that requires strength, speed, and coordination. This exercise is unique because it challenges your entire body and helps improve explosive power, especially in your upper body and core. Execution Begin with the barbell on the floor, standi

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Rack Pull

Barbell Rack Pull

The Barbell Rack Pull is a powerful compound exercise that targets the upper portion of your deadlift. It is ideal for strengthening your back, hips, and hamstrings, and improving your grip strength and explosiveness. Execution Set the power rack to a height where the barbell is just above your

Back CrossFit
Barbell Rear Lunge

Barbell Rear Lunge

Lunges could be considered squats on one leg. Like the squat, it is a compound exercise that involves multiple joints. However, during lunges, you do not need to lean forward from the waist, or only minimally. The lower back, glutes, and hamstrings therefore work relatively less hard, while more emp

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Rear Lunge On Box

Barbell Rear Lunge On Box

If you're looking for an effective way to train your lower body, the Barbell Rear Lunge On Box is an excellent choice. This exercise combines the intensity of lunges with the stability and height of a box, allowing you to descend deeper and activate your muscles even more effectively. Execution

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Rear Lunges

Barbell Rear Lunges

If you're looking for an effective way to train your lower body, Barbell Rear Lunges are an excellent choice. This exercise targets not only your legs but also improves your balance and coordination. Execution Begin by placing a barbell on your upper back, not on your neck. Make sure your feet a

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Romanian Deadlift

Barbell Romanian Deadlift

The barbell Romanian deadlift is a powerful exercise that targets the development of the posterior chain. This exercise is known for its ability to strengthen the hamstrings, glutes, and lower back, which is essential for better posture and performance in various sports. Execution Begin by placi

Hamstrings Strength Training
Barbell Romanian Deadlift

Barbell Romanian Deadlift

The Barbell Romanian Deadlift is a powerful exercise that targets the posterior chain, particularly the hamstrings, glutes, and lower back. This variation of the traditional deadlift places greater emphasis on the hip movement, which offers unique benefits for improving posture and strengthening the

Hamstrings Strength Training
Barbell Seated Good Morning

Barbell Seated Good Morning

If you are looking for an effective exercise to strengthen your lower back, hamstrings, and glutes, the Barbell Seated Good Morning is an excellent choice. This variation of the traditional Good Morning exercise is performed seated, creating unique tension in the target areas. Execution Find a b

Back Strength Training
Barbell Side Lunge

Barbell Side Lunge

In side lunges, also called lateral lunges, you step sideways into a lunge instead of forward or backward. This sideways push requires more effort from the muscles that move the legs inward (adductors) and the muscles that move them outward (abductors). The smaller muscles in the glutes are primaril

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Single-Leg Deadlift

Barbell Single-Leg Deadlift

The Barbell Single-Leg Deadlift is a powerful exercise that focuses on improving your balance, strength, and stability. What makes this exercise unique is that it not only challenges your lower body but also tests your core and balance. Execution Begin by placing a barbell in front of your feet.

Hamstrings Strength Training
Barbell Single-Leg Split Squat

Barbell Single-Leg Split Squat

The barbell single-leg split squat (also called the Bulgarian split squat) can be compared to lunges. The difference is that you do not step forward or back. You complete a full set with one leg forward first and then repeat it with the other leg. This can make proper execution easier. After all, yo

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Single-Leg Split Squat

Barbell Single-Leg Split Squat

The Barbell Single-Leg Split Squat is a powerful exercise that focuses on improving your balance, strength, and stability. By training one leg at a time, you work not only on your muscular strength but also on correcting muscular imbalances between your legs. Execution Find an elevated surface,

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Snatch

Barbell Snatch

The Barbell Snatch is a dynamic and complex exercise that requires strength, speed, and coordination. This exercise is unique because it challenges your entire body and is primarily focused on improving your explosive strength. Execution Begin with the barbell on the floor, standing with your fe

Shoulders Strength Training
Barbell Snatch Balance

Barbell Snatch Balance

The Barbell Snatch Balance is a dynamic exercise that tests not only your strength but also your speed, coordination, and balance. This exercise is unique because it requires you to dive under the bar, developing explosive strength and stability in your shoulders. Execution Begin with the barbel

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Snatch Deadlift Close Grip

Barbell Snatch Deadlift Close Grip

The Barbell Snatch Deadlift with a close grip is a powerful exercise that targets a wide range of muscle groups, with a unique combination of movements that requires both strength and technique. This exercise provides an excellent way to improve your lower body, back, and grip strength while also wo

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Snatch From Blocks

Barbell Snatch From Blocks

The Barbell Snatch From Blocks is a dynamic exercise that targets explosive strength and coordination. This variation of the snatch helps you refine your technique by starting the movement from an elevated platform, allowing you to focus on the second part of the lift. Execution Set the blocks t

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Snatch Pull

Barbell Snatch Pull

The Barbell Snatch Pull is a dynamic strength exercise that focuses on improving explosive power and strengthening multiple muscle groups at once. This exercise is unique because it not only challenges your muscles but also improves your coordination and speed. Execution Begin with your feet hip

Glutes Strength Training
Barbell Snatch-Grip Deadlift

Barbell Snatch-Grip Deadlift

The barbell snatch-grip deadlift is a powerful exercise that targets a wide range of muscle groups, combining strength, coordination, and explosiveness. This variation of the traditional deadlift places additional emphasis on the upper back, shoulders, and hips, making it an excellent choice for imp

Glutes Strength Training
Barbell Split Clean

Barbell Split Clean

The Barbell Split Clean is a dynamic exercise that combines strength, speed, and coordination. This variation of the traditional clean adds a unique twist through the split position, so you not only train your muscles but also work on your balance and flexibility. Execution Begin with the barbel

Full-body training Strength Training
Barbell Split Jerk

Barbell Split Jerk

The split jerk is the final part of an Olympic weightlifting movement (clean and jerk). This part of the exercise primarily targets the stabilizing capacity of the shoulder joint. The lower body acts to get the weight upward, while the upper body then has to stabilize the weight. In addition to the

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Split Squat

Barbell Split Squat

The barbell split squat can be compared to lunges. The difference is that you do not step forward or back. You first perform a full set with one leg in front and then repeat it with the other leg. This can make proper execution easier. After all, you only need to concentrate on pushing yourself up w

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Split Squat

Barbell Split Squat

The Barbell Split Squat is a powerful exercise that targets the lower body, with a unique focus on balance and stability. By training one leg at a time, you improve not only muscle strength but also coordination and balance. Execution Begin by placing a barbell on your upper back, not on your

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Squat

Barbell Squat

The Barbell Squat is a powerful exercise that focuses on strengthening your lower body. This exercise offers unique benefits, such as improving your posture, increasing fat burning, and strengthening your muscles and joints. Execution Begin by placing the barbell on your shoulders, just above yo

Quads Strength Training
Barbell Squat Back Pov

Barbell Squat Back Pov

The Barbell Squat is a powerful exercise that focuses on strengthening your lower body and improving your overall physical performance. This exercise offers unique benefits, such as building muscle mass, increasing your metabolism, and improving your balance and coordination. Execution Begin b

Quads Strength Training