Lying on the back with the other knee bent and its foot flat, a strap or towel round the foot draws the straight leg up: the hamstring stretch NHS leaflets start with, the bent knee steadying the low back.
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Hamstring stretch family
Leg-up hamstring stretch
Easier option
These tiers compare demands within this family, not universal safety or a mandatory sequence. Load, range, balance and your circumstances can change difficulty. Choose deliberately; pain does not select a progression.
Lying on the back with the other knee bent and its foot flat, a strap or towel round the foot draws the straight leg up: the hamstring stretch NHS leaflets start with, the bent knee steadying the low back.
DemandEasy
Equipment requiredOther / check instructions + Floor space
Muscle focusHamstrings
The figure gets into position, then repeats the movement. Technical checks passed; qualified exercise review is pending.
Watch this variation on the 3D figure above: it gets into position, then repeats the movement.
Source-researched guide. Clinical review is pending.
How to move
Lie on the back with one knee bent and that foot flat, a strap or towel round the other foot.
Straighten that leg up toward the ceiling.
Draw it toward you until the back of the thigh pulls gently; hold, then change legs.
Form cues
Keep the knee as straight as is comfortable.
Keep the head and shoulders relaxed on the floor.
Practice and cautions
No universal dose is assigned. Choose a manageable amount for your current capacity, leave room for controlled repetitions, and allow recovery. A clinician’s individual plan takes priority.
This is movement education, not an assessment or treatment prescription. Stop for sharp or increasing pain, dizziness, numbness or tingling; seek individual guidance for symptoms, injury or restrictions.
Unlicense · Free Exercise DB contributors; derived from wrkout/exercises.json. Text import; no photographs or media. · Revision f00c92c7dcf1216a928a52c3706c7ce8e2f71ed5