Hamstring Exercises [del.icio.us]

The hamstrings compose an area of the legs which include a few major muscles with the primary muscle in this group being the rectus femoris. This muscle runs straight down the back of the leg and makes up the bulk of the rear leg musculature. Surrounding the femur bone, there is a great deal of potential for lifters and everyday gym patrons to put on a little bit of muscle which can in turn help to increase the resting metabolism. The hamstrings help produce the movements associated with curling and lifting or pushing. These muscles are not much unlike the biceps of the upper arm. If you think about standing straight and curling your heel up to your backside, it is very similar to how the bicep muscles in the arms work. Utilizing some of the best hamstring exercises in your workouts will help to gain overall leg development that many people in the gym lack.

Many women long for improved hamstring muscles, although they may not think of it that way. When women see fitness models on television or in magazines, they may often long to have the types of legs and glutes that those fitness models have achieved. Getting the hamstrings or back part of the legs to look like that of a fitness model almost always requires more then just cardio. Engaging in resistance training to firm and tone the muscles of the hamstrings will help get the look that many women desire. Some of the best hamstring exercises such as the good morning, stiff legged deadlift, squat, and standard deadlift, are virtually the only thing that will help many women achieve the look they desire in this area. Having low bodyfat levels is an important step toward achieving that firm and tone look, but the actual firming and toning comes about as a result of properly executed resistance training.

In my time as a personal trainer I have worked with numerous female clients. Their goals are usually similar for the most part. These goals usually involve losing excess fat and firming up certain areas such as the arms, abdomen, legs, and buttocks. Over the years I have noticed that many women have an innate fear of lifting weights. The fear that by lifting weights one will put on a ton of muscle and look freakish or too muscular is in large part unwarranted. Most healthy women without any medical conditions or orthopedic problems can engage in various leg exercises and can do so without putting on too much muscle. In fact most women could not put on a great deal of muscle in the legs even if they wanted too. The majority of women simply lack the higher levels of testosterone needed to put on a great deal of muscle. A good certified personal trainer can show you the best ways to achieve the look you desire in your legs by utilizing great hamstring exercises.