Dana Santas, known as the “Mobility Maker,” is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and mind-body coach in professional sports. She is also the author of “Practical Solutions for Back Pain Relief.”
Hamstring tightness is one of the most common complaints I hear from athletes, everyday exercisers and desk workers alike. No matter how much you may try to stretch, the tightness doesn’t go away.
And the reason may surprise you: In many cases, “tight” hamstrings aren’t caused by a lack of flexibility — the muscles are tensing in response to instability in other areas.
And until you address the root cause, all the hamstring stretching in the world won’t fix the stiffness.
In my work with professional athletes, I’ve found that tight hip flexors and weak glutes are most often the culprits, creating an imbalance between the front and back of the hips and a lack of pelvic stability. I rely on a few key exercises to address these issues and resolve hamstring tension — and these movements can make a difference for anyone.
Read on to learn how you can improve your hamstring health doing three targeted exercises three times a week.
Why your hamstrings feel short and tight when they’r
Continue Reading on CNN
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.