Within the sports activities world, essentially the most infamous injury-prone muscle group is undoubtedly the hamstrings. Tune into the Olympics this summer season, and also you’ll in all probability see what I imply. Fittingly, by taking a web page out of their ebook, it’s price contemplating this pretty unconventional method—on this case the Nordic curl hip hinge—to creating them bulletproof. If you happen to’re a lifter who both carries a variety of dimension and muscle mass, OR one who’s simply beginning out, this can be one to take heed of.
For the hamstrings, a lifter is wise to give attention to deadlift and curl patterns respectively, as it will sort out each of the first actions of that muscle group: Hip extension and knee flexion. In lots of circumstances, lifters and coaches will fail to deal with one and solely give attention to the opposite. With that mentioned, a typical go-to for a lot of sensible coaches and lifters has been the traditional glute hamstring elevate, Nordic hamstring curl, and every of their variations.
To be clear, there are particular advantages from these workouts they usually positively earn a spot in a given program.
However on a private word, a rising variety of shoppers I’ve labored with within the normal inhabitants (sure, that would come with lifters similar to you) have curiously voiced some qualms with the sample. In the event that they’re not simply plain too weak to drag these off with good kind, they’ll even be susceptible to complain of discomfort from these variations within the type of ligament stress within the knee.
Right here’s my philosophy: The identical approach a leg extension will be unfriendly to the knees of sure lifters as a result of anterior shear (for the reason that tibia is shifting whereas the femur is held fastened), I’m drawn to consider that with the femur shifting whereas the tibia is held fastened, the identical phenomenon is going on within the type of posterior shear. As the load of a lifter’s higher physique begins to fall ahead this joint stress will make itself manifest. Immobilizing the femur whereas sharing the duty of the hamstrings’ motion is a approach to enhance the scenario. If that seems like jibberish, stick with me and browse on.
The way to Carry out the Nordic Curl Hip Hinge
Whereas Nordic curls focus very dominantly on knee extension and flexion, the Nordic Curl Hip Hinge retains the femur in a single place so the knee joint has to endure fewer stress forces as a result of a relentless change in load-bearing angle. Right here, the hamstrings are being requested to concurrently maintain an isometric knee flexion and actively lengthen the hip joint, making for a way more full engagement that’s friendlier to the joints. Including a light load whereas being sincere with the reps will expose that it doesn’t take a lot to essentially torch the hamstrings.
This motion is easy in execution, however all bases should be lined to make sure you have the suitable setup. When you do, it simply could substitute different GHR primarily based variations because the go-to to enhance curls and deadlifts.
Discover any safe house that you would be able to hook your heels underneath. Squat cages with adjustable security bars are sometimes a superb guess. Bear in mind, the floor ought to block your HEELS, not your Achilles tendons. Ensure that the ft will be stored in a impartial place, and never plantar flexed. It might take elevating the shins on some benches or mats (see demo video) to do that.
- Kneel going through away from the equipment, ensuring to remain tall to begin.
- Cross the arms over the chest, and fall ahead by 2 inches – JUST ENOUGH to really feel the knee joint start to increase and the hamstrings activate. It’s actually the primary 1/tenth of an eccentric Nordic curl (see first video).
- Hold that hamstring stress, and shift the main target to the hip joint. Hinge proper over by letting the torso “take a bow”. Don’t let the hips fall ahead or sink backward. Hold them in place.
- Squeeze the glutes and drive the hips by as you come to a tall kneeling place, permitting the posterior chain to get you there.
- Purpose for units of 12-20 easy, rhythmic reps. Add gentle weight held throughout the chest as seen above if wanted.
Not solely will this sample really feel extra accessible than traditional GHR’s or Nordics, nevertheless it’ll additionally really feel extra snug. That covers all of the bases for each starting lifters on the lookout for nice hits for the hams, and intermediate lifters who carry some dimension, and could also be asking an excessive amount of of their knees and hamstrings to be doing the unique variations of this elevate. That’s what I name coaching sensible.
