Hamstring Stretch - Chair Leg Extended

Recommendations: 1-3 Sets, 10-15 Reps

Beginner Hamstrings Hip Extensors Stretching Chair Gym Home

Purpose: This exercise provides flexibility and mobility of the hamstrings.

Benefits: A major problem with many athletes who use their legs (such as runners, footballers, ice skaters) is the hamstring injury. This exercise is a core stretch for the hamstrings which will help reduce this type of injury.

Sit upright in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Grip the sides of the chair. Raise your right leg, extending your knee, straight out in front of you. Flex your ankle. This is the starting position. Slowly move your right leg outward (to the right) as far as you can without moving in the chair. Keep your knee extended and your ankle flexed. Breathe normally. Return to the starting position. Sit upright in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Grip the sides of the chair. Repeat for the required number of repetitions. Sit upright in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Grip the sides of the chair. Raise your left leg, extending your knee, straight out in front of you. Flex your ankle. This is the starting position. Slowly move your left leg outward (to the left) as far as you can without moving in the chair. Keep your knee extended and your ankle flexed. Breathe normally. Return to the starting position. Sit upright in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Grip the sides of the chair. Repeat for the required number of repetitions.


The Hamstring muscles group are responsible for bending the knee. Some members of this group also straighten the hip (hip extensors). They are located on the back of the thigh.

Step 1

Sit in a chair with your right leg extended in front of you.

hamstring-stretch-chair-leg-extended-step-0

Sit upright in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Grip the sides of the chair. Raise your right leg, extending your knee, straight out in front of you. Flex your ankle. This is the starting position.

Step 2

Move your right leg outwards as far as you can.

hamstring-stretch-chair-leg-extended-step-1

Slowly move your right leg outward (to the right) as far as you can without moving in the chair. Keep your knee extended and your ankle flexed. Breathe normally.

Step 3

Return to the starting position.

hamstring-stretch-chair-leg-extended-step-2

Return to the starting position. Sit upright in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Grip the sides of the chair. Raise your right leg, extending your knee, straight out in front of you. Flex your ankle. Repeat for the required number of repetitions.

Step 4

Sit in a chair with your left leg extended in front of you.

hamstring-stretch-chair-leg-extended-step-3

Sit upright in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Grip the sides of the chair. Raise your left leg, extending your knee, straight out in front of you. Flex your ankle. This is the starting position.

Step 5

Move your left leg outwards as far as you can.

hamstring-stretch-chair-leg-extended-step-4

Slowly move your left leg outward (to the left) as far as you can without moving in the chair. Keep your knee extended and your ankle flexed. Breathe normally.

Step 6

Return to the starting position.

hamstring-stretch-chair-leg-extended-step-5

Return to the starting position. Sit upright in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Grip the sides of the chair. Raise your left leg, extending your knee, straight out in front of you. Flex your ankle. Repeat for the required number of repetitions.