Are Leg Curls a Worthwhile Hamstring Exercise?

The Law of Joint Integrity

Ultimately, a stronger hamstring at the level of the knee allows for stronger quadriceps, because of the law of joint integrity, which states that the body eventually shuts down strength development on one side of the joint if there is not enough strength on the other side to maintain relative balance.

From the standpoint of deadlifting, leg curls actually make a great deal of sense. This is because of their secondary indirect contribution to greater quadriceps strength-potential.

The Law of Specificity

The above is an example of the concept of specificity – that form follows function. So, though it is true that a deadlift competitor would never approach the limits of his ability by performing only leg curls, to say that leg curls are an ineffective hamstring exercise makes no sense. They are half of the hamstring equation, and address an entirely separate function of the hamstrings from pulls.

General vs Specific Preparation

Finally, there is a continuum in performance training between general preparation, or structural balance work, and specific preparation, or peaking. General preparation is concerned with exercise that improves the structural integrity of the system, or balance.

Specific preparation is concerned with taking that new, balanced platform to a higher level of performance. Long term planning demands that attention be paid to both of these aspects of training, or injury or overtraining invariably occurs.

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