Training & Nutrition - tight hamstrings?

For the last couple weeks my hamstrings have been giving me trouble. After about 30-45 minutes into a ride they get tight and sometimes they really hurt. I can stand and crank for a few minutes and it goes away, but always comes back. Seems to be getting worse too. It's most noticable on my road bike but I have the same problem on my mtn bike, just not as bad as I tend to be out of the saddle more.

Any suggestions?

STRETCH! there are a million stretches for the hamstrings. it is probably the easiest muscle in the entire body to stretch. there is the legs cross and bend over, the sit down and touch your toes, the heel up on the ledge, the modified hurderler (bring sole of left foot to inside of thigh while touching the toe of your straightened right leg, then switch) and a few more that I can't think of right now. stretching would probaly be your best bet.

you can also try doing some heat therapy before riding to try and loosen it up. it works even better if you combine heat w/ stretching...

I do stretch, but I'm not nearly as consistent about it as I should be. After a big ride I always stretch before I get in the Jeep to come home because I have found that if I don't I almost have to pry myself out when I get back.

How much do you stretch? Maybe I am not doing nearly enough. Another problem I think in my case is that I sit at a desk for 8 hours a day. That can't be good for anything... Thanks...

i agree. it sounds like a stretch issue. i had same problem with muscles that are used in cycling getting over developed compared to the rest of my leg muscles. my physical therapist examined my leg muscles and found the ones i use over and over to be extremely tight. she gave me 6 different leg stretches that i have to do DAILY. after 3 weeks of daily stretches i finally was able to ride my normal route without any pain or discomfort in my knee. the stretches work! you might want to make an apoointment with a physical therapist and let her examine you. she can tell you what muscles need to be worked out and stretched (loosened). it may be more than your hamstrings!!

jeff




I do stretch, but I'm not nearly as consistent about it as I should be. After a big ride I always stretch before I get in the Jeep to come home because I have found that if I don't I almost have to pry myself out when I get back.

How much do you stretch? Maybe I am not doing nearly enough. Another problem I think in my case is that I sit at a desk for 8 hours a day. That can't be good for anything... Thanks...

I do stretch, but I'm not nearly as consistent about it as I should be. After a big ride I always stretch before I get in the Jeep to come home because I have found that if I don't I almost have to pry myself out when I get back.

How much do you stretch? Maybe I am not doing nearly enough. Another problem I think in my case is that I sit at a desk for 8 hours a day. That can't be good for anything... Thanks...

I stretch for about 10 minutes or so before and after a ride, and about 15 before and after a run.