Best Beginner Hamstrings Workouts To Build Strength

About

This workout is tailored to individuals with less than a year of fitness experience, providing exercises that are simple to perform and utilize accessible equipment.

Designed for strength building, this plan employs a mix of compound and isolation movements, enabling you to lift heavier weights with fewer repetitions and target a range of muscle groups.

The hamstring muscles, located at the back of the thigh, are the primary focus in these routines, ensuring improved flexibility, mobility, and coordination.

The 15 Best Beginner Hamstrings Exercises to Build Strength

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Ranked based on Fitbod's internal data set of the most effective exercises. Learn More

  • 1. Lying Hamstrings Curl

    SETS LOGGED
    2,368,667
    Hamstrings Strength
    97 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Leg Curl Machine
    Leg Curl Machine

    The Lying Hamstring Curl is an exercise that focuses on strengthening the hamstrings using a machine. It is effective for building muscle and strength in the lower body, while providing stability throughout the movement.

    How to do it

    The Lying Hamstring Curl is an exercise that focuses on strengthening the hamstrings using a machine. It is effective for building muscle and strength in the lower body, while providing stability throughout the movement.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    45lbs
    2
    8reps
    45lbs
    3
    8reps
    45lbs
  • 2. Seated Leg Curl

    SETS LOGGED
    3,535,105
    Hamstrings Strength
    99 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Leg Curl Machine
    Leg Curl Machine

    The Seated Leg Curl is a machine exercise that focuses on strengthening the hamstrings. It helps build muscle mass by isolating these muscles, making it a good choice for lower body workouts.

    How to do it

    The Seated Leg Curl is a machine exercise that focuses on strengthening the hamstrings. It helps build muscle mass by isolating these muscles, making it a good choice for lower body workouts.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    50lbs
    2
    8reps
    50lbs
    3
    8reps
    50lbs
  • 3. Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift

    SETS LOGGED
    3,868,302
    Hamstrings Strength
    99 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift is a beginner-friendly exercise that focuses on strengthening your hamstrings and glutes. Using dumbbells can assist those with limited mobility and is an excellent way to prepare for barbell deadlifts.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift is a beginner-friendly exercise that focuses on strengthening your hamstrings and glutes. Using dumbbells can assist those with limited mobility and is an excellent way to prepare for barbell deadlifts.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 4. Smith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift

    SETS LOGGED
    481,043
    Hamstrings Strength
    89 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Smith Machine
    Smith Machine

    The Smith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift is a beginner-friendly variation of the Romanian Deadlift that works your glutes and hamstrings. Using the Smith Machine provides stability, allowing you to focus on proper form as you lift the bar.

    How to do it

    The Smith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift is a beginner-friendly variation of the Romanian Deadlift that works your glutes and hamstrings. Using the Smith Machine provides stability, allowing you to focus on proper form as you lift the bar.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    50lbs
    2
    8reps
    50lbs
    3
    8reps
    50lbs
  • 5. Standing Leg Curl

    SETS LOGGED
    334,645
    Hamstrings Strength
    90 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Leg Curl Machine
    Leg Curl Machine

    The Standing Leg Curl is an exercise that strengthens the hamstrings by isolating one leg at a time. Using a machine helps stabilize your movement, making it easier to focus on building muscle without compensating for strength differences between legs.

    How to do it

    The Standing Leg Curl is an exercise that strengthens the hamstrings by isolating one leg at a time. Using a machine helps stabilize your movement, making it easier to focus on building muscle without compensating for strength differences between legs.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    25lbs
    2
    8reps
    25lbs
    3
    8reps
    25lbs
  • 6. Landmine Romanian Deadlift

    SETS LOGGED
    173,397
    Hamstrings Strength
    83 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Landmine
    Landmine
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Landmine Romanian Deadlift is a beginner-friendly exercise that targets your hamstrings and glutes. It uses a landmine setup for added stability, making it easier to control the movement compared to traditional deadlifts.

    How to do it

    The Landmine Romanian Deadlift is a beginner-friendly exercise that targets your hamstrings and glutes. It uses a landmine setup for added stability, making it easier to control the movement compared to traditional deadlifts.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    30lbs
    2
    8reps
    30lbs
    3
    8reps
    30lbs
  • 7. Romanian Deadlift to Shrug

    SETS LOGGED
    63,019
    Hamstrings Strength
    84 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Romanian Deadlift to Shrug is an exercise that works your lower and upper back muscles. It strengthens the hamstrings and glutes while isolating the traps with a shoulder shrug, making it great for improving your posture and overall back strength.

    How to do it

    The Romanian Deadlift to Shrug is an exercise that works your lower and upper back muscles. It strengthens the hamstrings and glutes while isolating the traps with a shoulder shrug, making it great for improving your posture and overall back strength.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    50lbs
    2
    8reps
    50lbs
    3
    8reps
    50lbs
  • 8. Romanian Deadlift to Bent-Over Row

    SETS LOGGED
    57,169
    Hamstrings Strength
    87 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Romanian Deadlift to Bent-Over Row is a combined exercise that works your hamstrings, glutes, and upper back. This move strengthens your entire posterior chain while improving back muscle definition, making it great for beginners.

    How to do it

    The Romanian Deadlift to Bent-Over Row is a combined exercise that works your hamstrings, glutes, and upper back. This move strengthens your entire posterior chain while improving back muscle definition, making it great for beginners.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    45lbs
    2
    8reps
    45lbs
    3
    8reps
    45lbs
  • 9. Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Shrug

    SETS LOGGED
    115,553
    Hamstrings Strength
    88 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Shrug is a great exercise for strengthening your hamstrings, glutes, and upper back. It involves bending at the hips while holding dumbbells, then shrugging your shoulders at the top, giving you a full-body workout in one move.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Shrug is a great exercise for strengthening your hamstrings, glutes, and upper back. It involves bending at the hips while holding dumbbells, then shrugging your shoulders at the top, giving you a full-body workout in one move.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 10. Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Bent Over Row

    SETS LOGGED
    119,138
    Hamstrings Strength
    89 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Bent Over Row is a great exercise that works your hamstrings, glutes, and upper back. You lower the dumbbells by hinging at the hips, then pull them up towards your chest, which helps build strength and flexibility in both your lower and upper body.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Bent Over Row is a great exercise that works your hamstrings, glutes, and upper back. You lower the dumbbells by hinging at the hips, then pull them up towards your chest, which helps build strength and flexibility in both your lower and upper body.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs
  • 11. Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Calf Raise

    SETS LOGGED
    97,914
    Hamstrings Strength
    89 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Calf Raise is a two-part exercise that strengthens your hamstrings, glutes, and calves. You'll bend at the hips to lower the dumbbells and then rise up onto your toes to work your calves, improving your overall leg strength and balance.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Calf Raise is a two-part exercise that strengthens your hamstrings, glutes, and calves. You'll bend at the hips to lower the dumbbells and then rise up onto your toes to work your calves, improving your overall leg strength and balance.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    22.5lbs
  • 12. Single Arm Kettlebell Deadlift

    SETS LOGGED
    57,916
    Hamstrings Strength
    86 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Kettlebells
    Kettlebells

    The Single Arm Kettlebell Deadlift is an exercise that improves strength and stability by using one kettlebell. This move targets your hamstrings, glutes, and lower back while working your core to keep your body steady.

    How to do it

    The Single Arm Kettlebell Deadlift is an exercise that improves strength and stability by using one kettlebell. This move targets your hamstrings, glutes, and lower back while working your core to keep your body steady.

  • 13. Loop Band Romanian Deadlift

    SETS LOGGED
    24,479
    Hamstrings Strength
    82 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Loop Bands
    Loop Bands

    The Loop Band Romanian Deadlift strengthens your hamstrings, glutes, and lower back using a loop band for added resistance. It helps improve flexibility, strength, and posture while being easier on your back than traditional weights.

    How to do it

    The Loop Band Romanian Deadlift strengthens your hamstrings, glutes, and lower back using a loop band for added resistance. It helps improve flexibility, strength, and posture while being easier on your back than traditional weights.

  • 14. Box Jump

    SETS LOGGED
    377,598
    Hamstrings Strength
    56 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Box
    Box

    Box Jump is a powerful exercise that works your leg muscles and helps improve your jumping ability. It's a great way to add cardio to your workout and build explosiveness. You can adjust the difficulty by using different box heights.

    How to do it

    Box Jump is a powerful exercise that works your leg muscles and helps improve your jumping ability. It's a great way to add cardio to your workout and build explosiveness. You can adjust the difficulty by using different box heights.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
  • 15. TRX Alternating Hamstring Pull-In

    SETS LOGGED
    111,971
    Hamstrings Strength
    62 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of TRX
    TRX

    The TRX Alternating Hamstring Pull-In is an exercise that strengthens your hamstrings and glutes while also working your core. Using TRX straps creates instability, which helps improve your overall balance and muscle coordination.

    How to do it

    The TRX Alternating Hamstring Pull-In is an exercise that strengthens your hamstrings and glutes while also working your core. Using TRX straps creates instability, which helps improve your overall balance and muscle coordination.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    12reps
    2
    12reps
    3
    12reps

Alternative Workouts

Alternative Beginner Workouts to Build Strength

Alternative Beginner Hamstrings Workouts

Alternative Hamstrings Workouts to Build Strength