A resistance exercise that targets the hamstring muscles by flexing the knee against resistance, typically performed lying face down or seated on a specialized machine.
Compound from 'hamstring' (ham from Old English 'hamm' meaning back of knee, plus 'string' referring to the tendon-like appearance) and 'curl' (Middle English 'curlen'). The exercise was developed in the 1960s as gyms recognized the need to isolate hamstring training.
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