The leg on the right has each muscle labeled. The muscles are also layered just like in your thigh, showing how some of the muscles are covered by the others.
The leg on the left has all the muscles you can address on the back of your thigh in addition to the hamstrings. All of the muscles in the left leg are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others.
Biceps Femoris
Pictured above is the biceps femoris. You'll notice there are two attachments above the knee that feed into the same tendon below the knee (one on the hip bone, one on the lower portion of the thigh bone).
The leg on the right has the biceps femoris labeled. The leg on the left displays all the muscles you can address on the back of your thigh in portions of the region of the biceps femoris. All of the muscles in the left leg are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others. Click here for a list of all the muscles Click here to view the hamstrings all together. Additional hamstring muscles you might be interested in:
Pictured above is the quadratus lumborum (QL). It is one of the deepest of the lower back stabilizers and it hikes your hip (pulls your hip up toward your spine).
It is commonly too tight in persons diagnosed with one leg longer than the other. You can't move your hip or lower back in any direction without using this muscle. 80% of all adults over 18 years of age have some form of back pain. If you aren't checking the QL for excessive tension you are missing one of the most significant links to proper back function.
The muscles are layered, showing how some of the muscles are covered by the others. All of the muscles are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others.
Pictured above is the piriformis. It is one of the lateral rotator muscles of the hip, and rotates your leg so that your toes point outward. Because of the location of this muscle in relation to the sciatic nerve, releasing excessive tension in this muscle can dramatically improve sciatica symptoms. (click here for a list of all the muscles)
The muscles on the left are layered, showing how some of the muscles are covered by the others. All of the muscles are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others.
Individual hip, lower back & thigh muscles you might be interested in: (any inactive links will be live soon)
Muscle that crosses the hip/lower back joint and crosses the hip/thigh joint (attaches to the spine and the femur)
Pictured above are the hip flexor muscles. All of them pull your leg up toward your spine, and one of them pulls your spine toward your leg (like when you sit up). They are BY FAR the most influential group of muscles in the body. You can't move your hip or lower back in any direction without using one or more of these muscles. 80% of all adults over 18 years of age have some form of back pain. If you aren't checking your hip flexors for excessive tension you are missing the most significant group of muscles that contribute to proper back function.
The muscles are layered, showing how some of the muscles are covered by the others. All of the muscles are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others. On the left side you can see the other muscles that are present in the same area as the hip flexors, and a couple muscles that act as mild hip flexors (Tensor Fasciae Latae & Sartorius).
Individual hip, lower back & thigh muscles you might be interested in: (any inactive links will be live soon) Muscle that crosses the hip/lower back joint and crosses the hip/thigh joint (attaches to the spine and the femur)
Psoas
Pictured above is the psoas. It is one of the hip flexor muscles, and pulls your leg up toward your spine (like when you lift your leg), or your spine toward your leg (like when you sit up). It is BY FAR the most influential muscle in the body. You can't move your hip or lower back in any direction without using this muscle. 80% of all adults over 18 years of age have some form of back pain. If you aren't checking the psoas for excessive tension you are missing one of the most significant links to proper back function.
The muscles are layered, showing how some of the muscles are covered by the others. All of the muscles are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others.
Individual hip, lower back & thigh muscles you might be interested in: (any inactive links will be live soon)
Click here for a list of all the muscles. Click here to see the hip flexor muscles as a group. Muscle that crosses the hip/lower back joint and crosses the hip/thigh joint (attaches to the spine and the femur)
Pictured above is the most influential of the quadriceps, the rectus femoris. The leg on the right has the rectus femoris labeled. This is the only quadriceps that acts on the 2 largest joints in your body - the hip AND the knee. If this muscle goes dysfunctional with too many muscular knots, then all movements involving either of these two joints will be compromised. If you only have time for one SMR exercise, DO SMR FOR THE RECTUS FEMORIS! (It is that important.)
The leg on the left has all the muscles that cross your thigh in the region of the rectus femoris. All of the muscles in the left leg are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others.
Adductor Magnus
Pictured above is the adductor magnus. This huge muscle on the inside of your thigh pulls your knee inward toward your hip. This muscle is too tight if your knees bow inward when you squat or during the landing of a jump. In addition, this strong muscle can act as a pseudo hamstring muscle that pulls your leg back and inward as it contracts. So a healthy adductor magnus helps LOTS of hip & thigh functions.
The leg on the left has all the muscles that cross the inside front of your thigh in addition to the adductor longus. All of the muscles in the left leg are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others. You can access individual muscle detail for the quads and all the other muscles in the body with our Coach membership. Click here for a list of all the muscles.
Adductor Longus
Pictured above is the adductor longus.
The leg on the left has all the muscles that cross the inside front of your thigh in addition to the adductor longus. All of the muscles in the left leg are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others. You can access individual muscle detail for the quads and all the other muscles in the body with our Coach membership.
Adductor Brevis
Pictured above is the adductor brevis.
The leg on the left has all the muscles that cross the inside front of your thigh in addition to the adductor brevis. All of the muscles in the left leg are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others.
