Exercise Comparison
Ball Leg Curl vs Reverse Hyperextension
Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
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.
Reverse Hyperextension
Place your feet between the pads after loading an appropriate weight. Lay on the top pad, allowing your hips to hang off the back, while grasping the handles to hold your position.
To begin the movement, flex the hips, pulling the legs forward.
Reverse the motion by extending the hips, kicking the leg back. It is very important not to over-extend the hip on this movement, stopping short of your full range of motion.
Return by again flexing the hip, pulling the carriage forward as far as you can.
Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Verdict
Both exercises target the hamstrings. Ball Leg Curl is a beginner exercise using exercise ball, while Reverse Hyperextension is intermediate and uses machine. Choose Ball Leg Curl if you're looking for a more accessible option, or Reverse Hyperextension for a greater challenge.