Hamstring Kicks Guide: Bodyweight Leg Exercise

Learn how to perform hamstring kicks with proper form to improve leg flexibility and strength using only your bodyweight.

How to Perform

  1. Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart and your hands resting on your hips or held out for balance.
  2. Shift your weight onto your left leg while maintaining a slight bend in the knee for stability.
  3. Lift your right foot off the ground and bend the knee to bring your heel toward your glutes.
  4. Extend the right leg forward in a controlled kicking motion without locking the knee at the top of the movement.
  5. Lower the leg back down to the starting position and repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
  6. Switch legs and perform the same sequence on the left side to ensure balanced development.

Common Mistakes

  • Leaning too far forward or backward while kicking
  • Using momentum or swinging the leg instead of controlled muscle contraction
  • Locking the standing knee which can lead to joint strain
  • Dropping the leg too quickly during the eccentric phase

Muscles Worked

Primary movers

  • Hamstrings

Stabilizers

  • Glutes
  • Calves
  • Hip Flexors

Related Guides

Hamstrings · Legs