Lucy Pagano After a hard day’s work it seems that all we want to do is sit and relax. But it’s also what a lot of us do at work for the whole day. Except for the relax part.
There’s nothing wrong with relaxing. And there’s nothing wrong with sitting either. Except if you’re sitting all the time. Cause really – we’re all pretty lazy. Like why hold a cup when you don’t have to right?
Unfortunately, doing a whole lot of nothing does takes a toll on your body, and not in a good way.
Do you wonder why so many people have lower back pain? Or why a lot of people slump over? It’s because you’re sitting for long periods of time. And when you are sitting in your chair not doing anything, neither are your hamstrings.
According to the American Chiropractic Association, lower back pain is the number one reason that Americans miss work. All I’m saying is that I’d rather use my days off for rest and relaxation, instead of recovering. Wouldn’t you?
Hamstrings play a crucial role in athletic progression, abdominal development, posture, lower back stability, flexibility, range of motion, and decreases the chance of injury. Basically what I’m saying is that they’re important.
Needless to say, we don’t talk about them much but there is a lot to talk about when it comes to hamstrings. If they’re tight and underdeveloped, you’ll run into many of the problems mentioned in this article. If they’re strong and flexible, you won’t. It’s that simple.
I know that you’re making an attempt to eat right and get after a work out consistently every week. You live an active lifestyle. Great.
Sometimes thought, it’s important to just chill and keep things loose. So today wanted to show you some cool stretches that you can do, at home, in the office, or after a workout at the gym so we’re keeping those hamstrings loose and active.
Hamstring Band Stretches:
- Start by laying flat on the floor and placing a loop around your foot with a resistance band and grip the resistance band with both hands.
- Pull the resistance band so that your left leg comes up and you start to feel a stretch in your hamstring. Your right leg and hip should be flat on the floor with your toe pointed straight upward. Once your right hip comes off of the floor, that’s your end range of motion. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds.
- Now, pull the resistance band so that your left leg crosses your body. You should bring your left toe as close to your right shoulder as possible (depending upon your flexibility). Again, make sure to keep your right leg flat and toe pointed straight upward. Your left shoulder should be laying flat on the floor. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds.
- Then, pull the resistance band so that your left leg travels away from your body, with your left toe coming as close to your left shoulder as possible. Once again, your right leg should be completely flat, with your toe pointed straight upwards. Both shoulders should not leave the floor. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds.
Repeat with other leg!
You can increase the difficulty of this stretch by just pulling harder. What’s nice about this stretch is that you can do this at home, while you’re watching TV, or even at your office.
After that tough workout, wrap up with some stretching. It’ll feel amazing, afterwards. Depending on how tight you are.
Hamstrings are important. Don’t forget it.
For athletes, for novice lifters, for everyday folks like us – it’s one of the most important muscles to work out. So sit. Relax. And stretch those hamstrings.
