There are a lot of ways to stretch your hamstrings, but this particular stretch is one of my favorites. The only “equipment” you need is an object you can put your foot up onto like a chair, couch, or bench. The height of the object will depend on your current level of flexibility. Watch the video for details on the specifics of this stretch and some nuances that will change the stretch to target your particular areas of tightness.
This stretch will target your hip, knee, and ankle joints and work your hamstrings, glutes, adductors, and calves. Spend five minutes on each side every day and you’ll experience a difference before long. Given that our hamstrings are pretty big muscles and are attached to a lot of important stuff, you may even experience a relief in things like back pain and hip pain. Give it a shot and see what happens for you.
Andy is a certified CHEK Practitioner and holistic lifestyle coach. He holds a spectrum of certifications from CrossFit and is also a Vivobarefoot certified running coach. He has trained as a Zen buddhist and graduated with a Master’s degree in spiritual psychology from the University of Santa Monica.
Andy founded CrossFit LA one of the first and most successful CrossFit training centers in the world and the first to be featured in national media. He is the co-founder of the Whole Life Challenge, Inc, currently its president, and is also a consultant and life/business coach. Andy lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Julia, and son, Dashel.
