Thread: Calves and hamstrings

I do them with a straight back solely for the purpose of preventing injury... Only variation I use would be to bend at the knee or not. If you want to work hams do them with stiff legs and focus on using your hams. If you want to work back try bending at the knees just slightly and it helps isolate the back more by taking your hams out of the equation far more...

I have the exact same concerns about the deadlift, and after posting this question on another board I decided to start over completely with the deadlift, using extremely light weights, and performing it with a non-rounded back. I'll be starting that this week (today actually), so we'll see how things go. I don't do a straight-legged deadlift though, I bend my knees and focus on my back just as much as hams. As far as working calves, you could try doing calf raises with a loaded squat bar on your back and flat ground.

That's the way I do em. calf raises that is.

You really are supposed to bend the knees slightly. If you don't, you risk hyperextending them. In order to prevent injury, just bend your knees slightly and always always always keep your back straight (or arched back).

Oh right, never thought to do that. Anyone have any guidance for the stiff-legged deads?

That was in reply to Sam btw. So bent back and straight legs is a no-no?

That's what I would say. Always keep your back straight or arched naturally backwards, and have your knees slightly bent. Some people have trouble trying not to bend their knees too much at the bottom, but that's just something you have to work on.

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