Exercise Comparison
Ball Leg Curl vs Prone Manual Hamstring
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.
Prone Manual Hamstring
You will need a partner for this exercise. Lay face down with your legs straight. Your assistant will place their hand on your heel.
To begin, flex the knee to curl your leg up. Your partner should provide resistance, starting light and increasing the pressure as the movement is completed. Communicate with your partner to monitor appropriate resistance levels.
Pause at the top, returning the leg to the starting position as your partner provides resistance going the other direction.
Verdict
Both exercises target the hamstrings. Ball Leg Curl is a beginner exercise using exercise ball, while Prone Manual Hamstring is beginner and uses none. Choose Ball Leg Curl if you have access to exercise ball, or Prone Manual Hamstring if you prefer none.