Exercise Highlight 10: Assisted Hamstring Stretch with Active Leg Raise
The Assisted Hamstring Stretch with Active Leg Raise is a great way to open up your hips and lengthen your hamstrings. This stretch focuses on improving your ability to extend through your hips and ensure your core is properly engaged throughout the pattern.
Be honest with your ability here by making sure the leg with the strap is not pulled in to deeply, therefore not allowing you to fully extend through the moving legs hip so that it's flat on the floor.
It is ideal to foam roll each quadricep (thigh muscles) for 5 minutes using a foam rolling or TP Quadballer to get deeper into the fibers. This becomes more essential if you find yourself sitting much of the day, whether at your desk, driving or spending a lot of time on a bike. Follow this up with a massage of the high hamstrings using a TP 5 Inch Massage Ball, and then actively stretch your quadriceps before doing this stretch so that you get the most out of it.
Be sure the abdomen is tight and involved throughout the raising and lowering phase of the active leg. This takes some practice so be patient and don't rush. A pillar or lying in between a door frame can also be used..