Hamstring exercises

Also called Biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus

Hamstring exercises for the back of your thighs, from Romanian deadlifts to leg curls, with step-by-step form tips for home or gym.

2 exercises that target this muscle

Front

Back

Hamstrings

Showing 9 of 9 exercises

Dumbbell Romanian DeadliftA dumbbell Romanian deadlift hinges at your hips to lower weights down your legs, working the hamstrings, glutes and lower back.DumbbellsIntermediate
Lying Leg CurlThe lying leg curl bends your knees against a padded lever on a gym machine, isolating the hamstrings on the back of your thighs.Gym machine or cableBeginner

Other exercises that also work this muscle

What do the hamstrings do?

The three hamstring muscles run down the back of the thigh. They bend the knee and straighten the hip, so they work in walking, running and every time you bend forward and stand back up.

How do you train your hamstrings?

Because they cross two joints, the hamstrings need two kinds of exercise. Hip hinges, like the Romanian deadlift, train them to straighten the hip. Curls train them to bend the knee. A programme that includes both covers the whole muscle.

Exercises for other muscles

Back to the muscle map

Editorial content for general information only, not a substitute for professional medical advice. Read more about how we source and review our content.