How to Master the Nordic Curls Technique to Prevent Risk of Injury

The nordic curls are a great exercise for your hamstrings! Learn how to do them injury-free. (Image via menshealth)
The nordic curls are a great exercise for your hamstrings! Learn how to do them injury-free. (Image via menshealth)

The Nordic Curls exercise, also known as the Nordic Hamstring Curl, is an extremely effective hamstring-targeting exercise. However, it is a difficult exercise that requires proper form and technique to perform safely and effectively.

In order to master the Nordic Curls technique, it is important to focus on proper form and technique. The first thing to keep in mind is to keep your core engaged throughout the exercise. This will help keep your body in a stable position and will also help protect your lower back. In this article, we will discuss how to master the Nordic Curl technique in order to prevent the risk of injury.


What Are Nordic Curls? What Benefits Can They Offer You?

The Nordic Curls exercise, also known as the Nordic Hamstring Curl, is a highly useful exercise for targeting hamstring muscles. If you include this exercise in your workout routine, you'll gain the following advantages:

1) Improved hamstring strength:

The Nordic Curl exercise places a significant amount of stress on the hamstring muscles, which helps to strengthen and tone them.

2) Reduced risk of injury:

Strong hamstring muscles can help protect the knee and reduce the risk of injury.

3) Improved athletic performance:

The hamstrings play a crucial role in activities such as running, jumping, and cycling, and strong hamstrings can help improve athletic performance.

4) Increased core stability:

The Nordic Curl exercise requires you to keep your core engaged throughout the movement, which can help improve core stability and overall body control.

5) Better balance:

By engaging the hamstrings, glutes, lower back, and core muscles, this exercise also improves balance and stability.

6) Highly effective for glute and hamstring development:

This exercise can be highly effective when it comes to targeting and developing glutes and hamstrings, as it places a significant amount of stress on these muscle groups.

7) Great for injury prevention:

By strengthening the muscles surrounding the knee and hip, the Nordic Curl exercise is especially effective for preventing knee and hamstring injuries.

8) Can be modified to suit different fitness levels:

The Nordic Curls exercise can be modified to suit different fitness levels, using a raised surface or resistance bands.

There are several benefits of nordic hamstring curls. Here are a few. (Image via Athletics Weekly)
There are several benefits of nordic hamstring curls. Here are a few. (Image via Athletics Weekly)

How Can You Do This Exercise? Step-by-step Breakdown

To perform the exercise, follow these steps:

1. Start by kneeling on the ground with your body in a plank position, with your hands placed on the ground in front of you.

2. Keep your core engaged and your hips level, and lower your body towards the ground by bending at the knee.

3. Keep your knees in line with your ankles and try to keep your body as straight as possible.

4. Pause for a moment when your thigh is parallel to the ground, and then push back up to the starting position.

5. Repeat the desired number of repetitions.

Here's how you can do Nordic hamstring curls the right way. (Image via masterclass)
Here's how you can do Nordic hamstring curls the right way. (Image via masterclass)

Things To Keep In Mind When Doing This Exercise To Prevent Injury

The first step in mastering the Nordic Curl technique is to understand the muscle group that is being targeted. The hamstrings are the muscles located on the back of the thigh, and they play a crucial role in knee flexion and hip extension. These muscles are frequently overlooked in training, resulting in imbalances and an increased risk of injury.

Another key aspect of proper form is to keep your hips level throughout the movement. This can be achieved by squeezing your glutes and keeping your hips in a neutral position.

Another important aspect of the Nordic Curls technique is to keep your knee in line with your ankle. This will help place the proper amount of stress on the hamstring muscles and will also help to prevent knee injuries. By doing this, you can lessen the risk of hip injury from unintentional movement.

It is also important to focus on the tempo of the exercise. Many people make the mistake of rushing through the movement, which can lead to poor form and an increased risk of injury. Instead, focus on controlling your movement and taking your time as you lower your body toward the ground.

Finally, with the Nordic curls exercise, it is critical to progress gradually. This exercise can be quite challenging for beginners, so it is important to start with a modified version of the exercise and gradually increase the difficulty as your strength and technique improve.


In conclusion, the Nordic Curls exercise is a highly effective way to target the hamstring muscles and prevent the risk of injury. However, it is also a challenging exercise that requires proper form and technique. By focusing on proper form, tempo, and progression, you can master the Nordic Curls technique and achieve your fitness goals safely and effectively.

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