martin
Martin, I am a martial artist and I have tight and weak hamstrings. I do try to stretch after sessions but to be honest I dont do that too much. When I am working on takedowns I keep hurting my hamstrings. What can I do to improve this? Greg B.
Pictured is BJJ black belt Flavio Almeida working on the very difficult single leg deadlift with excellent form. Flavio understands the importance of unliateral work as well as hamstring health.
Greg,
Thanks for writing in and I am here to tell you that your problem is common to many athletes, not just martial artists. All too often, this is not only a neglected area of the body in training (perhaps because it is not easy to see in the mirror), but also as we sit more as a population, the area is also chronically tight.
When an area is tight, it is also classically weak as well so this can explain the problems you are experiencing. So, then when you are working standup and then ask the hammy for great flexibility and strength at the same time, you are asking for trouble.
I suggest that you pay attention to this area in terms of both flexibility and strength. All too often, people will just choose one of the two and never really achieve the results that they are looking for. The above pictured exercise is a nice choice and in the strength training section I deliver the 5 stretches that I feel are important to perform before leg training. Also, getting involved in some yoga with a great teacher might not be a bad idea too.
Remember, if you do what you always do, you will get what you always got. Now is the time to make a change and then you will reap the results.
Best of luck.
Martin Rooney
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