Exercise Comparison
Ball Leg Curl vs Hamstring Stretch
Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
Only in Ball Leg Curl
Instructions
Ball Leg Curl
Begin on the floor laying on your back with your feet on top of the ball.
Position the ball so that when your legs are extended your ankles are on top of the ball. This will be your starting position.
Raise your hips off of the ground, keeping your weight on the shoulder blades and your feet.
Flex the knees, pulling the ball as close to you as you can, contracting the hamstrings.
After a brief pause, return to the starting position.
Hamstring Stretch
Lie on your back with one leg extended above you, with the hip at ninety degrees. Keep the other leg flat on the floor.
Loop a belt, band, or rope over the ball of your foot. This will be your starting position.
Pull on the belt to create tension in the calves and hamstrings. Hold this stretch for 10-30 seconds, and repeat with the other leg.
Verdict
Both exercises target the hamstrings. Ball Leg Curl is a beginner exercise using exercise ball, while Hamstring Stretch is beginner and uses none. Choose Ball Leg Curl if you have access to exercise ball, or Hamstring Stretch if you prefer none.