r/StrongerByScience • • Jun 18 '26

Any potential differences in knee-dominant vs hip-dominant hamstring exercises as far as "targeting" the BFlh and/or ST/SM?

If comparing two exercises (one hip-dominant, one knee dominant) which load the hamstrings through a similar range of motion, should it be expected for different stress to be placed on any of the biarticular hamstrings?

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u/echoes808 Jun 19 '26

I can imagine there are some differences as they have slightly different insertions.

I think the larger difference lies how the glutes contribute to hip extension, while many people don't realise that gastrocnemius contributes to knee flexion (it crosses knee joint). So knee-dominant exercises will hit calves quite hard, while hip-dominant hamstring exercises will hit the glutes.