Hamstring Flexibility
What does hamstring flexibility help with? Your hamstring is actually a group of 3 muscles and tendons that connect at the pelvis and come all the way down the back of the leg and connect just inside and below the knee. These important muscles bend the knee, flex the hip and provide us with our ability to walk, run, jump and they help with controlling even the trunk of the body. If you don’t know exactly where they are, do this simple stretch. You will be sure to find them! Remember not to bounce. You want to move in a fluid motion (Don't force it or use any sudden movements) and hold that stretch. 
Reach your arms out with the intent to touch your toes. If you can’t touch your toes yet, that’s ok! You will get there. Hold this position for at least 20 seconds, give yourself a short break, then try again. Keep your knees straight on this stretch. Don’t cheat yourself out of a great hamstring flexibility stretch. Hamstring Flexibility TestSo, now you know where your hamstring is. That is a great start, but it won't help you if you don't do something about those stubborn muscles.To see if your hamstring is as supple as it should be, follow me through this simple test. Lay on the floor. If you have at least a 90 degree angle, you pass the test! Keep hamstring stretches a part of your flexibility training, but this is not where your focus needs to be. If you did not pass the test, keep working on the hamstring stretches on this page and, as always, pay attention to the warm up and cool down phases of your workout. Increased Hamstring flexibilityIf you failed the test, this is an area you will want to focus on. The following is one of the many stretching exercises used to increase flexibility.
This is a great hamstring stretch that uses a resistance band. Start with the leg you will be working relaxed and slip the band around the sole of your foot. 
Slowly straighten the leg until you feel the stretch, but not to the point of pain. If a stretch ever hurts, back off a bit. 
When you are ready, you can do this stretch without the band and use your hands behind the calf area. Be patient, consistent, and persistent. Remember that increased movement comes with consistent effort. We all start somewhere, so don't get discouraged if at first you are not as flexible as you would like. Back to top of Hamstring Flexibility
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