Exercise Comparison
Ball Leg Curl vs Standing Hamstring and Calf 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.
Standing Hamstring and Calf Stretch
Being by looping a belt, band, or rope around one foot. While standing, place that foot forward.
Bend your back leg, while keeping the front one straight. Now raise the toes of your front foot off of the ground and lean forward.
Using the belt, pull on the top of the foot to increase the stretch in the calf. Hold for 10-20 seconds and repeat with the other foot.
Verdict
Both exercises target the hamstrings. Ball Leg Curl is a beginner exercise using exercise ball, while Standing Hamstring and Calf Stretch is beginner and uses other. Choose Ball Leg Curl if you have access to exercise ball, or Standing Hamstring and Calf Stretch if you prefer other.