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.
Hamstring curls became crucial after sports scientists discovered that most athletes have a dangerous strength imbalance - their quadriceps are often 3-4 times stronger than their hamstrings, leading to ACL tears and other knee injuries!
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