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Exercise Comparison

Ball Leg Curl vs Split Snatch

Ball Leg Curl - starting position
Ball Leg Curl - ending position
Ball Leg Curl
beginner·Exercise ball·isolation
Split Snatch - starting position
Split Snatch - ending position
Split Snatch
expert·Barbell·compound

Side-by-Side

Ball Leg Curl
VS
Split Snatch
beginner
Level
expert
Exercise ball
Equipment
Barbell
isolation
Mechanic
compound
pull
Force
pull
Strength
Category
Olympic Weightlifting
hamstrings
Primary
hamstrings
calvesglutes
Secondary
calvesforearmsgluteshamstringslower backquadricepsshoulderstrapstriceps

Muscle Analysis

Shared

hamstringscalvesglutes

Only in Split Snatch

forearmshamstringslower backquadricepsshoulderstrapstriceps

Instructions

Ball Leg Curl

1

Begin on the floor laying on your back with your feet on top of the ball.

2

Position the ball so that when your legs are extended your ankles are on top of the ball. This will be your starting position.

3

Raise your hips off of the ground, keeping your weight on the shoulder blades and your feet.

4

Flex the knees, pulling the ball as close to you as you can, contracting the hamstrings.

5

After a brief pause, return to the starting position.

Split Snatch

1

Begin with a loaded barbell on the floor. The bar should be close to or touching the shins, and a wide grip should be taken on the bar. The feet should be directly below the hips, with the feet turned out as needed. Lower the hips, with the chest up and the head looking forward. The shoulders should be just in front of the bar. This will be the starting position.

2

Begin the first pull by driving through the front of the heels, raising the bar from the ground. The back angle should stay the same until the bar passes the knees.

3

Transition into the second pull by extending through the hips knees and ankles, driving the bar up as quickly as possible. The bar should be close to the body. At peak extension, shrug the shoulders and allow the elbows to flex to the side.

4

As you move your feet into the receiving position, forcefully pull yourself below the bar as you elevate the bar overhead. The feet should move forcefully to a split position, one foot forward one foot back. Receive the bar with your body as low as possible and the arms fully extended overhead.

5

Keeping the bar aligned over the front of the heels, your head and chest up, drive through heels of the feet to move to a standing position, bringing your feet together.

6

Carefully return the weight to floor.

Verdict

Both exercises target the hamstrings. Ball Leg Curl is a beginner exercise using exercise ball, while Split Snatch is expert and uses barbell. Choose Ball Leg Curl if you're looking for a more accessible option, or Split Snatch for a greater challenge. Split Snatch is a compound movement working multiple joints, making it better for overall strength. Ball Leg Curl isolates the target muscle for focused development.

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