My hamstrings refuse to ever loosen up--no matter how much stretching I do.  If I sit on the floor with my legs straight out, I can't even touch my toes.  I only stretch after I run when the muscles are warmed up--still nothing.  Now they are starting to cramp up during the night, which never used to happen.  Ideas?

My left hamstring does the same thing and has since about this time last year. On longer runs (6 plus miles) it gets really tight. So tight that I have to stop and stretch it out to continue. I try to stretch after runs, sometimes I forget. There are times as I sit at my desk, my left hamstring will cramp up and I have to get up and walk around, or straighten my leg and rest it on the computer tower I have under my desk.

 

Its frustrating that it never seems to get better and its to the point that I worry its going to tear when I run hard or race. I drink tons of water and probably too much coffee.

I'm just getting back to running after a stress fracture, so not many miles yet--3-ish a few days per week.  My hamstrings have always been tight, though.

 

I have been planning to try yoga for awhile now--I think I'll really do it. Thanks!

I've always had issues with my hamstrings, but recently, I've been doing Trigger Point therapy on the really tight knots in my calves.  Sometimes, when I mash down on a calf/lower leg knot, I can feel it in my upper leg.  It's all connected - maybe you have issue elsewhere that affect your hamstrings.

 

 

I've also had good luck with Pilates for improving overall flexibility.

I have issues with my hamstrings on my right leg.

 

I've taken to rolling them out using the stick a few times a day and it seems to help.

Do these two dynamic movements before and after runs and off days or between runs. It will make a huge difference.

 

http://www.ehow.com/video_2359500_dynamic-hip-swing-exercises.html

 

http://www.vidoemo.com/yvideo.php?i=Wk9wWmVZcWuRpaVpVc28&exercises-for-functional-movement-and-injury-prevention-dynamic-hamstring-stretch-exercises

 

http://www.ehow.com/video_2359502_lateral-hip-swinging-exercises.html

wow, another waytogo on the otherside of the pond. bit of a coincidence

I came up with this username years ago when I was losing weight...

 

This one has tight hamstrings too, I've bookmarked those video links

 

thanks

WTGY

Here's an article just published in NYT about stretching.