There’s more than one way to work your hammies.

Ah, hammies (aka your hamstrings).

Okay, but aesthetics aside, this muscle group is important for a lot of other reasons.

They help you bend and straighten your knee (see, pretty important!

), and extend your thigh out from the hip socket.

That makes the hamstrings difficult to target.

Weak hamstrings make it tough to run, kick, pivot, and decelerate, she says.

Plus, ignoring them could make you more susceptible to injuries such as ACL tears.

So, what’s a fit girl to do?

But that could get boring after a while.

Rest between sets as needed.

A.Stand facing away from a 20- to 36-inch-high box, and place top of rear foot on box.

B.Lower hips toward floor so rear knee comes close to floor.

Pause when rear knee is close to floor and front quad is parallel with floor.

C.Drive through front heel to return to starting position.

Do 8 to 10 reps per side.

Complete 3 sets on each leg.

A.Start in squat stance with legs hip-width apart.

C.Reverse directions by jumping to the right, landing on right side, and crossing left leg behind right.

That’s 1 rep.

Do 8 to 10 reps. Keeping core tight, step forward with right foot, hinging at hips, bringing torso down slightly.

B.Pause for 1 second before pushing off floor with right foot and returning to starting position.

Repeat with left leg, and continue alternating sides.

Complete 3 sets on each side.

A.Lie on your back on floor.

Place heels on a stability ball so that knees are bent and hips are off floor.

Keep arms down by side and neck straight.

B.Without dropping your hips, use feet to move ball out in front of you.

Pause, then draw knees back to bridge position (which will drive the ball back toward you).

B.Lift hips, keeping heels together, with weight in sides of your feet.

C.Pause for 2 seconds at top in an isometric hold, then lower back down.

A.Lie on back with knees bent, feet flat on floor.

Straighten left leg while firmly pressing right heel into ground.

B.Push through right heel, drive hips off floor.

Pause for 1 to 2 seconds once chest, hips, and legs are in a straight line.

C.Slowly lower hips to floor.

That’s 1 rep.

Do 10 to 12 reps per side.