Hamstring Curls on the Reformer

The muscles around your inner and outer thighs are integral to connecting to your center. Doing Hamstring Curls will deepen your whole Pilates practice.

  • Difficulty: Intermediate/Advanced
  • Equipment Needed: Reformer (I love using the Contrology Reformer.)
  • Reps: 5-8 of each variation
  • Warning: May not be suitable for back or knee issues.
  • Questions: Contact us here

Hamstring Curls on the Reformer

** Private online Pilates sessions available with Lesley Logan on request, click here **

Hamstring Curls on the Pilates Reformer are harder than they look but incredible for strengthening the entire backside of your leg and balancing out all your leg muscles. It's so easy in today's lifestyles to have very "quad dominant" legs. Which makes it hard in Pilates to connect to your entire center. The muscles around your inner and outer thighs are integral to your Pilates connections. By taking the time to do your Hamstring Curls not only will you get stronger you'll see your whole Pilates practice deepen. If Teaser, Roll Up and other flexion exercises have you down, then give Hamstring Curls their time to shine.

Press your tailbone down and your knees slightly up. Reach into straps.

With two heavy springs on and your long box set up take your straps and set them up with the loops you use for Short Spine Massage. There are two ways to get on the long box. The easiest one to me is to sit facing away from your springs on your long box. Cross the straps and place the loops on your feet. Then slide your hips to the side and flip over to uncross your straps. Slide forward on your box until your knee caps are at the edge. Then, press your arms to your box and reach your tail bone long to create length in your lower back.

There are a few variations you can do. Pressing your heels together and your knees apart pull both heels towards seat. Your hips will want to lift. Press your hip creases down instead of your lower back. And repeat 5-8x. Then repeat the exercise with your knees and feet hugging tight together. And after you have done 5-8 of those reach one leg long without dropping the strap and go down to 1 heavy spring. Do 5 single-leg curls and then switch. Repeat on the weaker side if needed.


Be sure to check out more of my online Pilates Reformer exercises. I want to help you continue your Pilates Reformer training!

Loving this Pilates exercise tutorial? Take weekly online Pilates mat classes with Lesley Logan.

Enjoying Lesley's teaching style? Willing to travel? Explore the world while maintaining your practice by joining Lesley on a Pilates retreat.

Comments (6)

I’ve just discovered your website. I LOVE these hamstring curls. I knew they existed but where not part of my training. Thank you so much for the pointed foot tip, especially as I have an injury to my left leg/knee. Whats the biomechanics with that?

Hey Natasha, so happy you found us! Often times when people flex their foot to pull the strap they are cheating with their calf muscles. So what you might have been feeling is the pulling from the wrong place…but our body often things is the easier place. Typically when people flex their feet also flex the front of the hip and their knee drops down. When we point the foot we can keep our hip open and lift our knee to stay in line with our femur. Hope that helps! xx

Thank you

Thank you for watching!! xx

Ouch! But in a good way 🙂

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.