1 Exercise to Quickly Release Tight Hamstrings (not typical stretching)

If you're looking to release tight hamstrings... STOP STATIC STRETCHING!

Static stretching your hamstrings not only results in short-lived gains in range of motion, but it also:

[+] Increases risk of tearing the hamstrings (especially before high intensity exercise)
[+] Often puts the lumbar spine at risk

Instead, safely release your tight hamstrings by using the exercise shared in today's video called the Hamstring Level I ERE.

ERE stands for 'End Range Expansion' and that's exactly what this exercise does - expands your end range, in a way that gives you long-term results and that minimizes the risk of anything bad happening to your body.

This technique is also featured in my most popular video here on YouTube, which you can find here:

I wanted to share this new format with you to get your feedback and to give you an example of the work we're putting into ROM Coach - our app for improving your mobility and movement longevity.

If you don't have it yet, it's free so go download it now:

So if you have any feedback on the video for me, let me know in the Comments.

Or if you liked the video make sure to hit 'Like'!

Sometimes the hamstrings are tight due to compensation for some other issue, which could be at the hip or knee joints. If you've had a history of hip problems and now are dealing with tight hamstrings, this may be the culprit, in which case I suggest following the Hip Control course:

Hip Control is a comprehensive course that addresses the entire hip joint so it often fixes other compensatory problems that you may not even realize are related. Check it out and see if it's right for you.

[MyMd]

Finally someone who explains it in a simple and understandable manner!

[justins]

I've had extremely tight hamstrings my entire life. Over 30 years, never been able to come close to touching my toes. I love when a new exercise looks deceivingly easy and turns out to give me overwhelming evidence of underdevelopment in a certain area. 2 cycles and my quads are on fire. Based on this, I am hoping this will not only improve my hamstring flexibility, but may also contribute to my journey to do a pistol squat. I will add this to my routine and let you know how it goes. Great video!

[patrickmarr]

Looks promising to me. I’m 61 and tired of having tight hamstrings, and have never found an effective way to release them. Thanks.

[blanchehurt]

The exercise made me aware of tightness that I did not recognize. I will be adding to my routine. Thanks very much.

[dkgray]

This has the same initial feeling of release like the commonly used methods of stretching, but it also feels like a workout. You can feel how after every session you can lift your leg a bit higher and with less effort!

[itgetter]

This is an excellent video. I love the explanation you gave in advance of the demonstration, and I also appreciate the video that shows the anatomy. The demonstration itself was thorough, and I believe this exercise will be quite helpful. Thank you very much.

[zmuhlmu]

Been in extreme pain through knees, hamstrings and hips. This exercise prompted first ever yt comment. It's given instant relief. Simply wow! And thank you!!!!

[gutenbird]

Wow. Never heard of this guy til this minute and just subscribed.

[peterpham]

Had a tight hamstring nagging me for the past 2 weeks. I've been massaging and stretching to no avail. I tried this exercise, and it was loosened immediately.

Thank you so much for posting this 🙏

[cindyvelasquez]

New video form is great for me. Audio explaining, visual, and I really enjoy the bullet points because I screen shot this as a reminder. Thank you so much for all of your videos and informational videos, they have truly helped me heal!!!

[HootBoards]

I honestly believe this is a massive game changer for me - I’ve been hunting this golden nugget of information for years! Thank you!!

[no_non-sense]

I suspected that my tight hamstrings and a re-occurring injury to the right one was partly a result of weak quads and my hamstrings were having to over compensate. My physical therapy focused on static stretches for my hamstrings (which didn't seem to help because they were just as tight the next day when I would do the stretches) and strengthening my hip flexors (which did help). Once "fully rehabilitated, " I still was having issues with my right hamstring...even with continuing my therapy exercises at home. After doing this ERE, it confirmed what I was thinking....man, were my quads burning during the lifting portion of this exercise! Even if this series doesn't help with the tightness in my hamstrings, I know that my quads will get stronger! Thanks again, Coach E for a well-explained and demonstrated exercise.

[yurrgee]

I tried this sitting down while watching the video just to test it out and it instantly worked.

[dragomirpetkov]

Very nice tech again, before I start following you I was made my self a bubble gum from static stretching and not fixing at all any of my pains and tightness. Thank you!

[jamesc]

Really appreciate the attention to detail with regards to breathing. That's something that wouldnt' have occurred to me to do, but on my very first rep when I exhaled I could feel the stretch sink in and really pull apart the stubborn bits of muscle.

When I set out to stretch my hamstrings a week or so ago I genuinely only thought the only thing that was going to change was my legs. Turns out my hamstring was pulling so ferociously on my pelvis that it had contorted my spine and condensed my whole torso. My hamstrings, calves, glutes, and core were all pulled into a state of permanent contraction which gave me massive hypertension my whole life. My hamstring was essentially a bowstring that was pulling my entire body taut, even the range of motion in my neck was affected.

7 days ago when I bent down to touch my toes I could only make it to my kneecaps. I can put my palm on the floor now. My entire abdomen has stretched out and I feel like I can truly breath for the first time. Thanks for this exercise. I will teach it to anyone that I see that has hamstring tightness.

[mattthomson]

Nice reasoning for combining strength with stretches. I had stopped my upright seated position exercise of holding a tight core and holding both legs extended into a right angle with my trunk for a one minute period, also breathing normally. After last night’s intense hammie cramping, my legs lifts are back in vogue, along with trying out your bench work! Hoping the cramps lighten up in a week or two. Thanks!

[caroline]

I love the cinder block cement background! You could even use that as your exercise background. -Update: I used the app for the first time and the text overlays are very accessible and clear! - The text is valuable information not to skip over. I like in the intro how you differentiated your work from the conventional methods and where there is a need and how your exercise fills that need and fixes what prior methods have lacked. This is where the powerful efficacy of your method lies. Before I started I knew what was important and why and what to focus on. The step by step progression is excellent. I just got the ROM Coach app and I set it up and am so excited to have it.

[trevorfernandez]

excellent explanation of why and how to do this stretch. I like how succinct this video is. background is better too.

[billfuller]

Eric. This video plus your original video on fixing tight hamstrings has done wonders for me. I had suffered with high hamstring pain for months and was getting nowhere. I tried your technique and felt improvement right away. I was much improved within two weeks. Now I do it after each run, about 4 times a week. Having no problems. Thank you. Like the new format.

[jmudikun]

You have an excellent voice for narrating and you do it well. Thank you