Hamstring question for Rickson

[Jon Hampton]

I've been going to the gym seriously for the past couple months...most of the exercises I do are to failure, which includes working out my hamstrings. I notice that when my leg workout is done, my hamstrings are so tight that I can't bend my leg without it feeling like I'm going to cramp.

Justine Henin-Hardenne once said that the reason she started cramping so much in matches was because her coach made her workout her legs (particularly her hamstrings) too hard. She claimed that all that muscle in her legs interferred with her ability to play.

Although I know I don't train as hard as Henin, I was wondering if I should be worried about "hammering" my hamstrings that hard during my workouts and if it'll effect my tennis playing at all.

Anyone is welcome to reply...my thanks in advance!

 

[Rickson]

I've been going to the gym seriously for the past couple months...most of the exercises I do are to failure, which includes working out my hamstrings. I notice that when my leg workout is done, my hamstrings are so tight that I can't bend my leg without it feeling like I'm going to cramp.

Justine Henin-Hardenne once said that the reason she started cramping so much in matches was because her coach made her workout her legs (particularly her hamstrings) too hard. She claimed that all that muscle in her legs interferred with her ability to play.

Although I know I don't train as hard as Henin, I was wondering if I should be worried about "hammering" my hamstrings that hard during my workouts and if it'll effect my tennis playing at all.

Anyone is welcome to reply...my thanks in advance!

Working out to failure is good for muscle development, but not necessarily the best approach for performance gains. If you're looking for extra striations in those hamstrings, keep doing what you're doing, but if you're looking to get stronger and move better, stop working out to failure. Lower your sets and reps until you're a few reps from failure. Personally, I'd increase the weight before going to failure with a lighter weight, but since you seem to be into muscle development, just lower your reps. You should also stretch after your workout, but make sure your muscles have good flow to them. I'd recommend getting on a stationary bike for 10 minutes after your leg workout and get a good stretch going. Remember, lower your reps and sets if you want to perform better and stretch after your workout and a little bloodflow exercise such as the bike or treadmill. Good luck.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

You might have some innate limitations in your hamstrings. Running would help both calf and hamstring flexibility. Are you doing enough of it?

However, make sure you don't have some Achilles problems. Read NoBadMojo's postings on the subject.

I am lifting my legs on a support at hip height (as the players do at the net), and do some serious hamstring stretching after my deadlifts or other related exercises.

Also, before starting any leg exercises, I am doing back extension exercises, which warm up the back and the hams.

Hydrate well. Take up Pilates or Yoga.

 

[Return_Ace]

HAMSTRING!

Thank you OP, i was talking with a friend today, and i was like "yeah, and that excercise does your......... *tries to think of leg muscle*"

then i was goign "three main muscles in legs... calves, quads and....."

and i couldn't remember it, but TY, hamstring it is.