TRX Hamstring Curl (Nordic-Style)

HingeTRXBW

Supine leg curl using TRX straps around the heels — a joint-friendly, low-equipment hamstring curl that mimics the Nordic curl's knee-flexion demand without kneeling or ankle-anchoring hardware.

Demo: Louie Simmons / Westside Barbell

Sets

3

Reps

10-15

Rest

45s

Contraindications

Low risk overall; avoid with acute hamstring strain. Those with knee pain in deep flexion under load should moderate range.

Setup

Lie supine, heels in TRX foot cradles, hips lifted into a bridge, knees extended.

Execution

  1. 1Maintain a bridged hip position throughout
  2. 2Curl the heels toward the glutes by flexing the knees
  3. 3Squeeze hamstrings hard at full flexion
  4. 4Extend the legs back out under control, keeping hips elevated

Key cues

  • Keep hips up throughout — don't let them sag
  • Drive the curl from the hamstrings
  • Control the extension, don't just let legs fly out
  • Squeeze at the top of the curl

Common faults

  • Hips dropping during the curl
  • Using momentum instead of controlled hamstring contraction
  • Insufficient hip bridge height reducing hamstring tension
  • Rushing through reps

Tweaks

  • Single-leg version for advanced progression
  • Add a pause at full flexion
  • Slow the eccentric extension phase

Progressions

Muscles

Primary: Hamstrings

Secondary: Glutes, Core

Notes

A practical, low-impact hamstring curl substitute when no GHD, partner, or heavy band is available — Jason's TRX makes this directly accessible.

Sources

Attribution: Charles Poliquin