Dont Just Perform Concentric Hamstring Curls

When we review our clients exercise programs for the first time in at Principle Four Osteopathy, often our clients will have very little focus on the posterior chain (gluteals, hamstrings) and if they do happen to include an exercise for the hamstrings, it may consist of hamstring curls.  An exercise that involves laying on your stomach and having a weight around your ankles that challenges you to to contract the muscle as it shortens.  Whilst this exercise certainly can be useful for building muscle bulk, it does fail to train ones hamstrings to get used to lengthening as it contracts.

Below is a video by osteopath Heath Williams of Principle Four Osteopathy that demonstrates a supine hip bridge with knee extension using the freeform board.  This exercise can also be carried out using a swiss ball or carpet sliders to replace the freeform board.

Other great exercises that can also be incorporated into our clients training programs that focus on eccentrically lengthening the hamstrings include: romanian deadlifts, goodmornings, single leg deadlifts/arabesque and glute ham raise.

This blog was written by Osteopath Heath Williams of Principle Four Osteopathy.

Principle Four Osteopathy

Principle Four Osteopathy is one of Melbourne City CBD leading Osteopathy clinics. At the clinic we treat a wide range of clients, ranging from the office worker, exercise enthusiast to athlete. We have 3 experienced osteopaths working across both of the clinics.

The Melbourne City CBD clinic is located at 29 Somerset Place (basement), close to the corner of Elizabeth St and Little Bourke in the Melbourne City CBD. Our premises adjoin the Jon Weller Personal Training Studio, a fully-equipped training space which allows clients to combine their osteopathy treatment with exercise tutorials or specific training programs and rehabilitation.

The Docklands clinic is located at 717 Bourke St (Ground Floor), beneath the Channel 9 building near the walkway from Southern Cross Train Station to Etihad Stadium. Our premises adjoin Pilates on Bourke, a fully-equipped pilates and yoga training space which allows clients to combine their osteopathy treatment with exercise tutorials, pilates or specific training programs and rehabilitation.

To speak to an Osteopath or book an appointment at Principle Four Osteopathy, please book online or call 03 9670 9290.