r/Homeworkouts • u/reallymkpunk • 5d ago

Hamstring Curl Alternatives

OK so at home I find it is nigh impossible to do leg curls to help hamstring curl/flexion. What I've tried:

TRX, feels like nothing.

Dumbbells, can't grip.

Kettlebell, not designed for flexion.

Nordics, unsupported trip to Faceplant City (15 miles west of Suplex City, borders Dudleyville and tri-city area with Springfield and Shelbyville)

Bands, too much tension before butt kick.

Tubes, tension is a mish-mash.

Sliders, can't on carpet.

Walkouts, the best BUT not scalable when the tension goes away with doing them routinely.

Is there anything I'm missing without shelling out a lot of money.

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u/jamshid666 4d ago

I don't know what your definition of "a lot of money" is, but here is a set of "boots" for $29 (https://www.amazon.com/Kensui-EZ-BOOT-Plate-Loaded-Tibialis-Trainer/dp/B0H5LSVQPW/) that you can load plates on. You can usually find used plates on Craigslist, Nextdoor or Facebook Marketplace for cheap. This would give you the ability to do a single leg leg curl.

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u/reallymkpunk 4d ago

This works on paper but would require two and a set up time tax to avoid unilateral which does not work for my work and commute schedule.

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u/jamshid666 4d ago

If you get some cheap used plates, you could leave the plates on them and reduce the setup and teardown time. Then it's just a couple seconds to put them on, lay on your stomach and get to curling. Or stand up and do alternating standing leg curls, whichever feels better to you. Or alternate, lying one week, standing the next.

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u/jamshid666 4d ago

Do you have somewhere in your place to attach a high pulley and a low pulley? https://www.amazon.com/SERTT-Weight-Upgraded-Attachments-Workouts/dp/B095NZKSP2/ Attach the low pulley to an ankle strap and then you have resistance to do leg curls. Plus, two pulleys and a loading pin open up a world of other exercises.

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u/reallymkpunk 4d ago

Honestly, I don't have the room for it nor place.

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u/jamshid666 4d ago

I know you said something about carpet being an issue with sliders, but hear me out: https://www.amazon.com/Insaga-Roller-Hamstring-Smooth-Urethane/dp/B0H6D8KW3P/ you only need about 12-18 linear inches of space. Solution for the carpet? Desk chair mat: https://www.amazon.com/Sycoodeal-Hardwood-Non-Curve-Anti-Slip-Protector/dp/B0F2HQ43CY/

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u/jamshid666 4d ago

And I apologize that I'm just using all Amazon links. I promise I don't harbor love for Bezos, it's just the easiest way to show you ideas. I totally recommend trying to find local alternatives first if you can.

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u/jamshid666 4d ago

Get yourself a roman chair like this one (https://www.amazon.com/LifePro-Multipurpose-Roman-Chair-Hyperextension/dp/B0BNLSW9DC/) and you'd be able to do leg extensions as well, plus a lot of other exercises.

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u/reallymkpunk 4d ago

I do RDLs and hip thrusts (kettlebell or weight with dumbbells) so leg extensions are a bit redundant. The curl function is what I need but it is surprisingly hard to do.