Build stronger, more resilient hamstrings by developing strength, mobility, and control throughout the posterior chain and through a greater range of motion.
This intermediate hamstring-focused workout combines unilateral strength, loaded mobility, direct hamstring work, and endurance training. The session develops the posterior chain through multiple ranges and movement patterns to build hamstrings that are not only more flexible, but stronger and more capable of controlling that range.
Use this workout 1–2 times per week alongside your lower-body, running, flexibility, or calisthenics training. It works well as a dedicated hamstring-strength session or as part of a lower-body training day. Allow adequate recovery between sessions, especially when combining it with heavy hinging, sprinting, or other hamstring-intensive work.
Strengthen your hamstrings at different lengths. Don’t focus only on stretching farther—the combination of loaded range, hinging, and curling helps you build strength that can support and control the flexibility you develop.
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A breakdown of all exercises in this workout.
rest
Not needed
Movement Control, Warm-Up / Activation
Not needed
Movement Control, Warm-Up / Activation
1. Sit tall with your spine neutral, engage your core and rotate your pelvis forward into an anterior pelvic tilt, creating length through your spine
2. Slowly tuck your pelvis underneath you into a posterior pelvic tilt while maintaining control through your hips and spine.
3. Continue moving between anterior and posterior pelvic tilt, focusing on creating movement from the pelvis rather than rounding only through the lower back.
4. Perform controlled repetitions while maintaining relaxed breathing and proper alignment.
1. Sit tall with your spine neutral, engage your core and rotate your pelvis forward into an anterior pelvic tilt, creating length through your spine
2. Slowly tuck your pelvis underneath you into a posterior pelvic tilt while maintaining control through your hips and spine.
3. Continue moving between anterior and posterior pelvic tilt, focusing on creating movement from the pelvis rather than rounding only through the lower back.
4. Perform controlled repetitions while maintaining relaxed breathing and proper alignment.
rest
Not needed
Mobility / Flexibility, Movement Control, Warm-Up / Activation
Not needed
Mobility / Flexibility, Movement Control, Warm-Up / Activation
1. Stand with your feet about hip-width apart and clasp your hands behind your lower back.
2. Pull your shoulders gently back and down while keeping your chest open.
3. Brace your core and begin by hinging at your hips, sending them straight back while maintaining a flat back.
4. Lower your torso until you feel a stretch through your hamstrings while keeping your spine long.
5. Let your arms gently move away from your back as your shoulders open, only as far as is comfortable.
6. Reverse the movement by driving your hips forward to return to standing.
7. Repeat with slow, controlled repetitions.
1. Stand with your feet about hip-width apart and clasp your hands behind your lower back.
2. Pull your shoulders gently back and down while keeping your chest open.
3. Brace your core and begin by hinging at your hips, sending them straight back while maintaining a flat back.
4. Lower your torso until you feel a stretch through your hamstrings while keeping your spine long.
5. Let your arms gently move away from your back as your shoulders open, only as far as is comfortable.
6. Reverse the movement by driving your hips forward to return to standing.
7. Repeat with slow, controlled repetitions.
rest
Dumbbell
Strength
Dumbbell
Strength
1. Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart and place one foot slightly behind you with the toes lightly touching the floor for support.
2. Shift most of your weight into the front working leg while keeping the back foot only for balance.
3. Hold a weight in the opposite hand or both hands while maintaining a tall posture.
4. Brace your core, keep your chest lifted, and begin the movement by pushing your hips backward.
5. Hinge forward from your hips while keeping your spine neutral and the front leg slightly bent.
6. Lower the weight toward the floor while maintaining tension through the hamstring and glute of the working leg.
7. Drive through the front foot and squeeze your glute to return to the standing position.
8. Repeat for the desired repetitions while maintaining control and balance before switching sides.
1. Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart and place one foot slightly behind you with the toes lightly touching the floor for support.
2. Shift most of your weight into the front working leg while keeping the back foot only for balance.
3. Hold a weight in the opposite hand or both hands while maintaining a tall posture.
4. Brace your core, keep your chest lifted, and begin the movement by pushing your hips backward.
5. Hinge forward from your hips while keeping your spine neutral and the front leg slightly bent.
6. Lower the weight toward the floor while maintaining tension through the hamstring and glute of the working leg.
7. Drive through the front foot and squeeze your glute to return to the standing position.
8. Repeat for the desired repetitions while maintaining control and balance before switching sides.
rest
Dumbbell, Plyo Box
Mobility / Flexibility
Dumbbell, Plyo Box
Mobility / Flexibility
1. Stand on an elevated surface with your feet together while holding a light weight in both hands.
2. Stand tall with your knees straight but not locked and brace your core.
3. Tuck your chin and begin rounding your spine one vertebra at a time, starting from your neck.
4. Continue slowly curling down through your upper back, mid back, and lower back while allowing the weight to travel toward the floor.
5. Keep your legs straight as your pelvis rotates forward and your hamstrings lengthen.
6. Pause briefly at your deepest controlled range without forcing the stretch.
7. Reverse the movement by slowly stacking your spine one segment at a time until you return to standing.
8. Finish tall with your head stacking over your shoulders.
1. Stand on an elevated surface with your feet together while holding a light weight in both hands.
2. Stand tall with your knees straight but not locked and brace your core.
3. Tuck your chin and begin rounding your spine one vertebra at a time, starting from your neck.
4. Continue slowly curling down through your upper back, mid back, and lower back while allowing the weight to travel toward the floor.
5. Keep your legs straight as your pelvis rotates forward and your hamstrings lengthen.
6. Pause briefly at your deepest controlled range without forcing the stretch.
7. Reverse the movement by slowly stacking your spine one segment at a time until you return to standing.
8. Finish tall with your head stacking over your shoulders.
rest
Pull Up Band, Thera-Band
Movement Control, Strength, Warm-Up / Activation
Pull Up Band, Thera-Band
Movement Control, Strength, Warm-Up / Activation
1. Lie face down on the floor with your legs extended and secure a resistance band around one ankle, anchoring the opposite end behind you.
2. Brace your core and gently press your hips into the floor to keep your pelvis stable.
3. Keep your thigh in contact with the floor throughout the movement.
4. Bend your working knee and pull your heel toward your glute against the resistance of the band.
5. Curl as far as you can while maintaining control and keeping your hips from lifting off the floor.
6. Pause briefly at the top while squeezing your hamstring.
7. Slowly extend your leg back to the starting position, resisting the pull of the band throughout the lowering phase.
8. Complete all repetitions before switching legs.
1. Lie face down on the floor with your legs extended and secure a resistance band around one ankle, anchoring the opposite end behind you.
2. Brace your core and gently press your hips into the floor to keep your pelvis stable.
3. Keep your thigh in contact with the floor throughout the movement.
4. Bend your working knee and pull your heel toward your glute against the resistance of the band.
5. Curl as far as you can while maintaining control and keeping your hips from lifting off the floor.
6. Pause briefly at the top while squeezing your hamstring.
7. Slowly extend your leg back to the starting position, resisting the pull of the band throughout the lowering phase.
8. Complete all repetitions before switching legs.
rest
Stability Ball
Stability, Strength
Stability Ball
Stability, Strength
1. Lie on your back with your heels resting on top of a stability ball and your legs straight.
2. Place your arms on the floor beside your body with your palms facing down for support.
3. Brace your core and squeeze your glutes to lift your hips until your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your heels.
4. Keeping your hips elevated, bend your knees and slowly roll the ball toward your glutes using your heels.
5. Continue curling until your knees are bent to about 90 degrees or as far as you can while maintaining hip height.
6. Pause briefly while squeezing your hamstrings.
7. Slowly extend your legs, rolling the ball away while keeping your hips lifted and your core engaged.
8. Return to the starting position with control and repeat.
1. Lie on your back with your heels resting on top of a stability ball and your legs straight.
2. Place your arms on the floor beside your body with your palms facing down for support.
3. Brace your core and squeeze your glutes to lift your hips until your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your heels.
4. Keeping your hips elevated, bend your knees and slowly roll the ball toward your glutes using your heels.
5. Continue curling until your knees are bent to about 90 degrees or as far as you can while maintaining hip height.
6. Pause briefly while squeezing your hamstrings.
7. Slowly extend your legs, rolling the ball away while keeping your hips lifted and your core engaged.
8. Return to the starting position with control and repeat.
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