Thread: Alternative to leg curls

The best "alternative" would be stiff legged deadlifts. Of course, they are better than curls anyway, which is why I used the quotes.

I'f have to agree with TP...stiff legged deadlifts are great for the hamstrings and glutes. Just be sure to maintain a slight knee bend when performing them. Start with a lighter weight until you understand the proper form.

SLDL all the way!!

Originally posted by Fit Freak
I'f have to agree with TP...stiff legged deadlifts are great for the hamstrings and glutes. Just be sure to maintain a slight knee bend when performing them. Start with a lighter weight until you understand the proper form.

ditto FF

SLDL are better?

Not sure I would agree with that, they work the hams in a different way than a leg curl, and both exercises are effective. But if you cannot do leg curls they are the only option I can think of.

Have you tried standing one legged leg curls? I have found that they do not put the same type of pressure on the knee as the lying down machine type.

You could also try them using a cable machine with ankle straps.

Originally posted by Prince
SLDL are better?

Not sure I would agree with that, they work the hams in a different way than a leg curl, and both exercises are effective. But if you cannot do leg curls they are the only option I can think of.

Have you tried standing one legged leg curls? I have found that they do not put the same type of pressure on the knee as the lying down machine type.

You could also try them using a cable machine with ankle straps.

I agree.

If you have access to a swiss ball...you can do a swiss ball ham curl, lie on a mat w/ your heels on the ball, bridge so you hips are off the ground...abs and glutes tight, draw the ball in towards your glutes using your hamstrings. You can control the amt of stress (contraction) just by how close you bring the ball to your glutes.

Originally posted by w8lifter
I agree.

If you have access to a swiss ball...you can do a swiss ball ham curl, lie on a mat w/ your heels on the ball, bridge so you hips are off the ground...abs and glutes tight, draw the ball in towards your glutes using your hamstrings. You can control the amt of stress (contraction) just by how close you bring the ball to your glutes.

should this statement been put in the Sexual Health forum.

Originally posted by w8lifter
If you have access to a swiss ball...you can do a swiss ball ham curl

Is a swiss ball enough, it just seems that it's too light. Would a weighted ball be okay?

I believe your body is the resistance, not the ball.

I'd don't agree with the SLDL versus curl point of Prince and W8.

IMO, the hamstring is a muscle with very limited function. If you are hitting the ham hard with any exercise you are stimilating its growth, and I think that SLDL are superior for stimulating ham growth. Now, if one were training for a sport related purpose where curling the leg is important, then I might feel differently.

I could post studies on how the curl hits the hams different from a dl...but I'm too damn lazy to find them.

As for the ball....your bodyweight is the resistance ...give 'em a try, they're not as easy as they sound, especially if they're superset w/ another exercise.