What is the hamstring?

The hamstring is a group of muscles just behind the thigh, between the glutes and the calf. It is made up of three muscles:

• biceps femoris muscle (long head);

• semitendinosus muscle;

• semimembranous muscle.

When you strengthen your muscles, you strengthen all 3 at the same time (to do on each side). The biceps femoris muscle is the largest of the 3.

Coach's advice: The antagonist of your hamstring is the quadriceps. It is important to take this into account when performing weight training positions and when stretching .