Best Hamstrings Workouts To Power Lift For Women
About
This workout plan focuses on increasing maximum strength through powerlifting techniques.
Core movements include the Bench Press, Back Squat, and Deadlift, aiming to enhance maximum lifts in these specific exercises.
The exercises are designed to engage and strengthen the hamstrings, which are crucial for knee flexion and hip extension.
For women, the repetition and weight recommendations are adapted to an average height of 5’5”, weight of 140 lbs, and age of 34 years; individual variations in capability will be considered.
By following this plan, you will experience improvements in both strength and functional precision.
The 15 Best Hamstrings Exercises to Power Lift for Women
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Ranked based on Fitbod's internal data set of the most effective exercises. Learn More
1. Deadlift
Deadlift demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED4,480,254Hamstrings Strength99 mScoreHamstrings
BarbellsThe deadlift is a powerlifting exercise that targets the muscles in your back and legs. It helps build overall strength and is commonly used in fitness routines.
How to do it
- Stand straight with your feet shoulder-width apart and the barbell close to your lower legs.
- Bend at your hips and knees to lower yourself towards the barbell, keeping your shins close.
- Grip the barbell with both hands or one hand over and one hand under, while keeping your chest up.
- Stand up straight by pushing through your hips and knees to lift the barbell along your body.
- Lower the barbell back down in the same path you lifted it.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps50lbs28reps50lbs38reps50lbs2. Romanian Deadlift
Romanian Deadlift demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED2,878,232Hamstrings Strength98 mScoreHamstrings
BarbellsThe Romanian Deadlift is a strength exercise that focuses on your glutes and hamstrings. It involves bending at the hips while keeping the knees slightly bent, helping you build strength for other hip hinge movements.
How to do it
- Stand with a barbell an inch away from your shins and keep your core tight.
- Hinge your hips back and grip the barbell with both hands.
- Push through your heels and bring your hips forward to stand up straight, lifting the barbell to your thighs.
- Keep your knees slightly bent as you lower the barbell by hinging your hips back until your back is flat.
- Once your back can no longer stay flat, push through your heels to return to the starting position.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps45lbs28reps45lbs38reps45lbs3. Good Morning
Good Morning demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED1,404,842Hamstrings Strength96 mScoreHamstrings
Barbells
Squat RackThe Good Morning exercise focuses on strengthening the muscles in your back and hamstrings. If you're new to this movement, it's safer to start with dumbbells rather than a barbell.
How to do it
- Set the barbell below shoulder height and grip it wider than shoulder-width.
- Pull your shoulder blades together and tighten your core muscles.
- Squat slightly to place the barbell on your upper neck, then stand up and step back, feet shoulder-width apart.
- Keep your heels on the ground and hinge at your hips to lower your torso while bending your knees slightly.
- Maintain a straight spine as you lower your body until your torso is almost parallel to the ground, then return to standing.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps35lbs28reps35lbs38reps35lbs4. Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift
Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED3,868,302Hamstrings Strength99 mScoreHamstrings
DumbbellsThe 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
- Stand tall with feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell in each hand next to your hips.
- Push your hips back and slightly bend your knees to lower the dumbbells down along your legs.
- Keep your back straight as you lower the dumbbells as far as comfortable, then return to standing tall.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps20lbs28reps20lbs38reps20lbs5. Single Leg Romanian Deadlift
Single Leg Romanian Deadlift demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED1,748,016Hamstrings Strength97 mScoreHamstrings
DumbbellsThe Single Leg Romanian Deadlift is a variation of the Romanian Deadlift that targets your glutes and hamstrings. This exercise helps improve your balance, strength, and stability on both sides of your body, making it beneficial for other lower body workouts like squats and lunges.
How to do it
- Stand tall with feet shoulder-width apart.
- Tighten your core to keep your back straight.
- Hinge at your hips and lift your left leg straight back, keeping it in line with your torso.
- Keep your knee slightly bent as your shoulders move over your toes.
- Lower until your back is no longer straight, then return to standing and repeat on the other leg.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps17.5lbs28reps17.5lbs38reps17.5lbs6. Sumo Deadlift
Sumo Deadlift demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED508,771Hamstrings Strength57 mScoreHamstrings
BarbellsThe Sumo Deadlift is a variation of the standard Deadlift, focusing on strengthening the muscles in your back, hamstrings, and glutes. It’s a great exercise for enhancing leg strength and is suitable for beginners as part of their workout routine.
How to do it
- Stand tall with your feet wide apart and the toes pointing out.
- Position a loaded barbell close to your shins.
- Bend at your hips and knees to lower your body, keeping your shins close to the bar.
- Grab the bar with both hands, using either overhand or alternate grip while keeping your chest up.
- Keep your back straight and legs vertical as you lift the bar.
- Stand up straight to complete the lift, then lower the bar back to the starting position.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps50lbs28reps50lbs38reps50lbs7. Romanian Deadlift to Shrug
Romanian Deadlift to Shrug demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED63,019Hamstrings Strength84 mScoreHamstrings
BarbellsThe 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
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold the barbell with hands wider than shoulders, using an overhand grip.
- Keep your core tight, back straight, and chest up.
- Bend at your hips to lower the barbell until you feel a stretch in your hamstrings, then pause.
- Drive your hips forward to stand up straight, engaging your glutes and hamstrings.
- As you stand, shrug your shoulders up to your ears and hold briefly.
- Lower back to the starting position.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps45lbs28reps45lbs38reps45lbs8. Romanian Deadlift to Bent-Over Row
Romanian Deadlift to Bent-Over Row demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED57,169Hamstrings Strength87 mScoreHamstrings
BarbellsThe 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
- Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.
- Grip the barbell with hands wider than shoulders, using an overhand grip.
- Engage your core and keep your back straight and chest up.
- Hinge at the hips to lower the barbell until you feel a stretch in your hamstrings.
- Pause briefly at the bottom position.
- Pull the barbell to your chest, keeping it close to your body.
- Pause again at the top position.
- Lower the barbell back to the starting position.
- Stand up by pushing through your legs and hips.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps40lbs28reps40lbs38reps40lbs9. Deadlift to Calf Raise
Deadlift to Calf Raise demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED137,211Hamstrings Strength86 mScoreHamstrings
BarbellsThe Deadlift to Calf Raise is a great exercise that combines lifting with calf strengthening. It works your hamstrings, glutes, and calves, helping to build lower body strength and improve balance.
How to do it
- Place a loaded barbell on the floor in front of you.
- Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.
- Bend down and grip the barbell with hands wider than shoulders.
- Engage your core and keep your back straight.
- Pull the barbell toward your shins.
- Stand up by fully extending your legs and pushing your hips forward.
- At the top, raise yourself onto your toes for a calf raise.
- Hold briefly, then lower back down to the starting position.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps45lbs28reps45lbs38reps45lbs10. Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Shrug
Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Shrug demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED115,553Hamstrings Strength88 mScoreHamstrings
DumbbellsThe 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
- Hold a dumbbell in each hand with palms facing you.
- Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Engage your core and keep your back straight.
- Bend at the hips and lower the dumbbells in front of your shins until you feel a stretch in your hamstrings.
- Stand back up by pushing your hips forward and using your glutes and legs.
- As you stand up, raise your shoulders towards your ears in a shrug.
- Hold this position briefly, then return to the starting position.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps17.5lbs28reps17.5lbs38reps17.5lbs11. Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Bent Over Row
Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Bent Over Row demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED119,138Hamstrings Strength89 mScoreHamstrings
DumbbellsThe 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
- Grab a dumbbell in each hand.
- Stand with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Hold the dumbbells in front of your thighs with palms facing you.
- Keep your core tight, back straight, and chest up.
- Hinge at your hips and lower the dumbbells until you feel a stretch in your hamstrings.
- Rotate your wrists so palms face each other.
- Pull the dumbbells to your chest by driving your elbows back.
- Pause for a moment, then return to the starting position.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps15lbs28reps15lbs38reps15lbs12. Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Calf Raise
Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Calf Raise demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED97,914Hamstrings Strength89 mScoreHamstrings
DumbbellsThe 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
- Hold a dumbbell in each hand, arms at your sides.
- Stand with feet wider than shoulder-width.
- Keep your back straight and chest up.
- Hinge at the hips, slightly bend your knees, and lower the dumbbells until you feel a stretch in your hamstrings.
- Quickly push your hips forward to stand up, engaging your quads and glutes.
- As you stand, lift onto your toes to work your calves and hold for a moment.
- Lower back down to the starting position.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps20lbs28reps20lbs38reps20lbs13. Tuck Jump
Tuck Jump demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED770,939Hamstrings Strength45 mScoreHamstringsThe Tuck Jump is a great exercise for strengthening your legs and improving your jump height. It involves jumping high and bringing your knees to your chest to enhance power and control for better overall athletic performance.
How to do it
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart and slightly angled out.
- Bend your elbows to 90 degrees, keeping your arms by your sides and palms facing down.
- Lower your body into a slight squat, then jump up explosively.
- While in the air, bring your knees up towards your chest until they touch your palms.
- Land softly by extending your legs underneath you.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps28reps38reps48reps14. Dumbbell Good Morning
Dumbbell Good Morning demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED176,110Hamstrings Strength91 mScoreHamstrings
DumbbellsThe Dumbbell Good Morning is a strength exercise that targets your hamstrings, glutes, and lower back. You hold a dumbbell either at your chest or on your shoulders while bending forward at the hips, then return to standing. This exercise helps improve posture and strengthen your back and legs.
How to do it
- Hold a dumbbell with both hands at chest level or on your shoulders.
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and slightly bend your knees.
- Engage your core and keep your back straight.
- Bend at the hips to lean your torso forward while keeping your back straight.
- Push your hips forward to return to standing, using your glutes and hamstrings.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps17.5lbs28reps17.5lbs38reps17.5lbs15. Clean
Clean demonstration video — proper form for this exercise. SETS LOGGED324,145Hamstrings Strength77 mScoreHamstrings
BarbellsThe Clean is a powerful exercise that works many muscles, including your legs, back, and shoulders. It involves lifting a barbell from the ground to your shoulders in one smooth movement, helping to build strength and coordination.
How to do it
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart beside a loaded barbell.
- Bend at your hips and knees to grip the bar with both hands.
- Keep your back straight as you lift the bar straight up by pushing through your heels.
- When the bar is above your thighs, jump slightly to raise the bar to chest height while keeping it close to your body.
- Catch the bar on your chest by bringing your elbows under it and dropping into a slight squat.
- Stand back up and lower the bar to the ground.
Sets, Reps, Weight18reps35lbs28reps35lbs38reps35lbs
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