Practice Point #21 - Hamstring Tightness

I received a question from Neha in India. Their question is...

Why do cycling and running tighten the hamstrings? How can we counter this tightness without having to stop cycling or running, so that we don't have to compromise on the hamstring flexibility?

The million-dollar question for anyone who loves to run and cycle.

This is a two-part question, to answer the first part...

Why do cycling and running tighten the hamstrings?

You can feel this just by standing on both feet, bend one leg up behind you. You will feel the hamstring contract and shorten it. This is essentially what you are doing a thousand times over when you run or cycle.

How can we counter this tightness without having to stop cycling or running, so that we don't have to compromise on the hamstring flexibility?

Find the right balance!

If you run and cycle more than you stretch (do yoga) you are going to be in a never-ending battle with your hamstrings.

Think of a yoyo, you are shortening and then lengthening.

However, if you do more stretching and less shortening you might start to get somewhere:)

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