insanely tight hamstrings

[Barefoot_Zosia]

I've been steadily increasing my squat & deadlift weights over the past few weeks, and my hamstrings have become incredibly, painfully inflexible. Is this to be expected, and what would be the best way to counteract it? It's making it difficult to continue upping the weight, even though my legs feel ready strength-wise. I've been stretching immediately after each weights session, but maybe that's not the best time? It doesn't seem to be helping much...

Thanks for any suggestions!

[ilovethe80s]

I've been steadily increasing my squat & deadlift weights over the past few weeks, and my hamstrings have become incredibly, painfully inflexible. Is this to be expected, and what would be the best way to counteract it? It's making it difficult to continue upping the weight, even though my legs feel ready strength-wise. I've been stretching immediately after each weights session, but maybe that's not the best time? It doesn't seem to be helping much...

Thanks for any suggestions!

I actually find it to be best to stretch at night before bed. My favorite for after deadlifts is to sit with legs straight out in front of you lean forward and grab ankle with opposite hand and twist just a bit - it releases the hams as well as the low and mid back muscle. Do that intermittently with foam rolling. The foam roller works really well for the hamstrings.

[Linds33]

I have a major problem with tight inflexible hamstrings and hyper flexible quads. So far i am finding that yoga and a foam roller are really helping me out!

I know yoga soudns silly but i swear by it for helping with stregth as well. Plus i have noticed my flexibility has gotten so much better.

[digitalbath11]

Have you tried a foam roller? It can really help stretch and massage the muscles after a grueling workout.

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/f...FoamRoller.htm

I should do it more often too.

Also try basic stretching when you first wake up. Other than that, there may always be some soreness after deadlifts and squats. I always get at least a little bit in my hamstrings everytime. But it shouldnt take you out for too long either.

[justass]

Try doing some dynamic stretching before you lift and then static stretching after. While it is common for hamstrings to tighten up a little as they get firmer, you shouldn't have to sacrifice flexibility for strength. Also, anecdotally, inflexible strings may make you more prone to injury (there is no true consensus in the strength and conditioning literature about whether general flexibility actually helps injury prevention, but it sure seems to help in lessening the likelihood of hamstring and groin pulls).

[Barefoot_Zosia]

Thanks everyone for the tips! I hadn't thought to try a foam roller or dynamic stretching pre-workout... I'll give both a shot and see if it helps.