Tight hamstrings are a butt.

So naturally, you stretch them.

But. It. Doesn't. Work.

So you try again.

A different stretch.

A different angle.

Maybe things feel better for a time.

But ...you're stuck in a loop like ground hog day.

And you're left wondering, how hard can this possibly be?

You're not crazy, I promise.

The Truth:

Your hamstrings might not actually be tight.

• They might be weak.
• Trying to protect something
• or the nerves that run through your legs might be trying to protect you.

Yeaaa...

Hamstrings aren't always straight forward.

That's why in this week's blog and video, I put together some exercises that are.

And no...there are NO painful, static stretches involved.

(keep those away from me! Me and my neural tension strongly dislike those. Want to know what even means? Gotta go read the blog.)

I pulled together some of my favorite dynamic hamstring stretches- the ones I use in the clinic (and on myself).

So believe me when I say, I'm giving you the good stuff.

But let's touch on something before you hop over...

I want to dive a little deeper, be a little more nuanced here since you're letting me into your inbox. We're getting nerdy so brace yourself:

• Doing these dynamic hamstring exercises are foundational. But you have to build on top of that foundation. Meaning, yes, these dynamic hamstring stretches will help you touch your toes again. But to super-duper keep these mobility gains, you MUST strengthen your poor hammies. Don't neglect them!
• There is a time and place for static hamstring stretching, but most times, NOT for runners. I say this because I know there are runners here who also participate in other sports and performing arts like dancing, where flexibility is a must and not just a nice-to-have. Runners need to understand that there can be actual neural (nerve-origin) reasons why hamstring muscles stay tight. How runners stretch is going to be different than how a dancer or a gymnast stretches because the demands of running are different than the demands of a dancer who needs to access enough hamstring range of motion for an arabesque or a leap. So unless you are a runner who is also in dance (or something else), please don't torture yourself with excessive hamstring stretching.

*SUPER NERDY SCIENCE-Y PART OVER*

How to fix your super tight hamstrings for good with stretches that actually work and are amazing to do as a running warm up: HERE!

Dare to Train Differently,

Marie Whitt, PT, DPT //@dr.whitt.fit

P.S. 3 exercises. That's it. You don't need to spend 30mins on mobility unless you want to (or you like to) ;) Come on...try it out!​

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