60 Minutes Beginner Hamstrings Workout with Smith Machine
A 60 minutes general fitness workout targeting your hamstrings using smith machine equipment. 5 exercises, 15 total sets, designed for beginner lifters.
60 Minutes
Duration
15
Total Sets
8-15 reps
Rep Range
~630
Est. Calories
The Workout
Start with this as your primary movement. Warm up with 2 lighter sets first.
Form cues
- Stand inside the Smith machine with the bar on your thighs and feet hip-width apart.
- Unlock the bar and hinge at the hips, sliding the bar down your legs.
- Lower until you feel a deep hamstring stretch, keeping the bar against your thighs.
Set the bar on your upper traps and unrack with both feet under the bar.
Form cues
- Set the bar on your upper traps and unrack with both feet under the bar.
- Step one foot straight back and lower until both knees form 90-degree angles.
- Keep your torso upright and front knee tracking over your toes.
Position a bench inside the Smith machine and sit with your upper back against it.
Form cues
- Position a bench inside the Smith machine and sit with your upper back against it.
- Unlock the bar at hip level and lower your hips toward the floor.
- Drive your hips up until your torso is parallel to the floor and shins are vertical.
Set the bar on your upper traps and take a wide stance with toes turned out 45 degrees.
Form cues
- Set the bar on your upper traps and take a wide stance with toes turned out 45 degrees.
- Push your knees out over your toes as you descend.
- Squat until your thighs are parallel or below, keeping your torso upright.
Finish strong — take the last set close to failure.
Form cues
- Set the bar on your upper traps and unrack in a split stance.
- Position your front foot far enough forward that your knee stays behind your toes at the bottom.
- Lower straight down until your rear knee is just off the ground.
Why This Workout Works
This workout is built around the principles of general fitness training. Combine compound movements with moderate loads and moderate reps. Include a mix of push, pull, hinge, squat, and carry patterns each week. Add 2-3 days of cardio and prioritize mobility work. This is sustainable, long-term training.
Training Parameters
- Rep Range: 8-15 reps — designed for sustained muscular effort
- Rest Periods: 60-90 seconds — short rest to maximize calorie burn
- Sets Per Exercise: 3 sets — optimized for general fitness
Hamstrings Training Tips
- *RDLs are the king of hamstring exercises — feel the stretch at the bottom and squeeze at the top.
- *Include both hip-hinge movements (RDLs) and knee-flexion movements (leg curls) for complete development.
- *Nordic curls build eccentric hamstring strength that prevents pulls and tears.
Get this hamstrings workout personalized for you
Revy's AI will analyze your training history, recovery status, and strength levels to customize every set, rep, and weight for maximum general fitness results.