Seated exercises place you in a fixed position as you exercise one muscle group. The hamstring curl is one such exercise where you sit and flex your knee joint to contract your hamstrings. Although the seated, isolated method is good for building muscles, it does very little or nothing to improve athletic performance, posture and functional movement patterns, according to Coach Vern Gambetta, author of "Athletic Development." Long-term use of these exercises can cause more problems than benefits for many people with chronic joint diseases and movement dysfunction.
Hamstring Function
Your hamstrings are a group of muscles in the back of your thigh that works with your quadriceps and inner thighs to flex and extend your knee joint. They also help decelerate your body when your slow down during a run or walking downhill, according to Gambetta. Hamstring curl exercises stimulate muscle activity and makes the hamstrings bigger, however, it does nothing to train real-life movements that require you to decelerate or incorporate hamstring function with the rest of your body. Performing total-body exercises is a better alternative to hamstring curls or other isolated exercises -- unless you want to develop muscle mass.
Warning
Doing exercises from a seated position places over 150 percent of your body weight on top of your lower spine, according to exercise physiologist Susan Hall, author of "Basic Biomechanics." Long-term use of this method of exercise call develop weak core, herniated discs, back pain and other joint pain.
Weight Management
If you wish to burn a lot of calories during exercise, perform full-body exercises that incorporates various body parts rather than isolating your muscles with hamstring curls or other seated exercises. You will burn more calories in less time and reduce your risks of injury if you do them correctly, according to Gambetta.
Considerations
If you wish to strengthen your hamstrings, physical therapist Gray Cook, author of "Movement," recommends that you do you the three basic lower body movement patterns, which are the squat, step-up and lunge. These exercises not only work all your leg muscles, but also your hips and upper body. It will improve your posture and upper body strength. When you do the step-ups and lunges and you notice one side is weaker or less stable than the other side, do an extra set on the weaker side.
References
- "Basic Biomechanicsl" Susan Hall; 2003
- "Athletic Development;" Vern Gambetta; 2006
- "Movement;" Gray Cook; 2010
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