Leg Curls, Squats and Hamstring Strains

[austin.j.taylor]

I have always though leg curls are pretty worthless. I stick to SLDL and RDL's for hamstring work. Trust me after a super heavy set of RDL's you wont ever want to look at a hamstring curl machine again.


Also if you have or can make a GHR they are supposed to be great for hamstring strength. I plan to start using these once my knee gets a touch better.

[BendtheBar]

It's definitely not from overworking. I don't do many sets at all.

My warm ups take about 25 to 30 minutes before my first set of heavy squats. I am more cautious with warming up than most lifters I know.

My impression is that (for me) the leg curls are detrimental to the tendons, connective tissue, etc. and I wanted to see if anyone else shared the same opinion.

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by austin.j.taylor

I have always though leg curls are pretty worthless. I stick to SLDL and RDL's for hamstring work. Trust me after a super heavy set of RDL's you wont ever want to look at a hamstring curl machine again.

RDLs were a staple but last year I ran into a pretty annoying hamstring strain from heavy RDLs so I had to get away from them for a while.

[Shadowschmadow]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

My impression is that (for me) the leg curls are detrimental to the tendons, connective tissue, etc. and I wanted to see if anyone else shared the same opinion.

I don't believe that they necessarily are. I mean, any exercise can be detrimental, but generally (not always) that can be narrowed down to user error. I think if they are sparse in your normal routine and your training them heavy, its asking for injury. Just like it would be with any exercise, regardless of how easy it may seem with lower weights.