Blog 2: Happy Hamstrings
Part 2 — Mobility vs Stability: Finding the Right Balance for Happy Hamstrings
In Part 1 of the Happy Hamstrings blog series, we uncovered a big secret — your hamstrings might not actually be tight, they might just be overworked and trying to protect you. So now that we know stretching alone isn’t the answer, how do we actually help your hamstrings relax and do their job properly?
The Key?
Finding the perfect mix of mobility (how well you move) and stability (how well you control that movement).
Let’s break it down:
Mobility: The “Move Freely” Side
Your body's mobility is how well it can move through a full range of motion — think of it as how far your hips, knees, and hamstrings can bend and extend.
You need mobility to stride, sprint, and kick, no question. But if your body can move really far and doesn’t have the strength or control to support it, that extra motion turns into tension or strain. This is what health care providers like Dr. Keirstyn refer to his hyper-mobility. It would be like driving a race car with loose steering — fast, but wobbly!
Stability: The “Stay in Control” Side
Stability is your ability to stay strong and steady while you move. It’s what keeps your muscles and joints working together like a well-tuned machine.
If you have lots of flexibility but not enough control, your hamstrings start working overtime to hold everything together. And when that happens, they feel tight, sore, and tired all the time.
So in many cases, the issue isn’t “not flexible enough”, it is usually that you are lacking proper strength and control and your body is trying to tell you that you are “not stable enough.”
The Sweet Spot: Controlled Mobility
Your hamstrings move best when your hips, glutes, and core work as a team. This combo gives you power and protection.
Controlled mobility means you can move freely — but with strength, not slack. That’s how you keep your hamstrings happy and ready for performance. Think of it like dancing — smooth, strong, and coordinated, not stiff or floppy.
Try These Function Movements for Better Balance:
1. Hip Hinge Practice
Stand with your feet under your hips.
Push your hips back like you’re closing a car door with your butt.
Keep your back straight and core tight.
👉 Great for teaching your body to move from your hips (not your hamstrings).
2. Controlled Leg Swings
Hold a wall or post.
Swing one leg forward and back slowly — control the motion, don’t fling it.
Engage your core the whole time.
👉 Builds balance and dynamic mobility.
3. Single-Leg Glute Bridge
Lie on your back, one foot on the ground.
Drive through your heel to lift your hips.
Squeeze your glutes, then lower with control.
👉 Strengthens glutes and hips so your hamstrings can finally take a break.
The Big Takeaway
Your body needs both mobility and stability — too much of one and not enough of the other causes imbalance.
When you build stability through your hips and core, your hamstrings can finally stop clenching for dear life. They’ll feel looser, stronger, and ready to work with you — not against you.
Coming Up Next: The Role of Your Glutes in Hamstring Overload
We’ve hinted at it already…
Your glutes might be the real reason your hamstrings are doing too much. In our next post, we’ll talk about how to wake up those glutes, fix your movement patterns, and take the pressure off your hamstrings for good.
Ready to Find Your Balance Now?
At Endurance Therapeutics, we help athletes fine-tune their movement so every muscle does its job best — no more overworked hamstrings.
👉 Book a movement assessment at Endurance with Dr. Keirstyn today and learn how to move better, perform stronger, and feel amazing doing it.