Standing hamstring stretch with chair

You feel this stretch in the back of your thighs, which are commonly called your hamstrings. This area is tight for a lot of people, so if you’re one of these folks, take your time and really relax into the stretch. Go grab a sturdy chair for this exercise.
To do this exercise, follow these steps:

1. Stand with your feet about hip-width apart and your hands on the seat of the sturdy chair in front of you.
2. Inhale deeply, and hinge from the hips, lowering your upper body toward the chair.
3. Inhale again and as you exhale, try to lower your body even more by bending your elbows. As you become more flexible, try to lower your elbows to the seat of the chair.
4. Hold this stretch for 30 seconds. You feel a deeper stretch behind your thighs and in the back of your knees if you keep your back flat and tilt your pelvis toward the ceiling.
5. Bend your knees and roll your upper body up to a standing position.

A few do’s and don’ts for this exercise:

• Do remember to take several deep breaths during the 30 seconds.
• Do keep your knees straight.
• Don’t round your back.
• Don’t tuck your hips under.