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🦵 Romanian Deadlift

The Romanian Deadlift is an intermediate lower body exercise that targets the hamstrings, glutes, erector spinae, and core. Hinge at the hips with a slight knee bend, lowering the barbell along your legs. The best exercise for hamstring strength and flexibility. It's used to build strength and flexibility and support general conditioning. Below is how to perform the Romanian Deadlift with correct form, plus the benefits, common mistakes, and how many reps to aim for.

Lower BodyIntermediateBarbell4 × 10

Benefits of the Romanian Deadlift

  • Strengthens and activates the hamstrings, glutes, erector spinae, and core
  • Improves strength
  • Improves flexibility
  • Great for general conditioning and everyday strength
  • Can be done with simple equipment (barbell)
  • Performed standing, so it's easy to set up

How to do the Romanian Deadlift

  1. Stand with feet hip-width apart, barbell in front of your thighs
  2. With a slight bend in your knees (fixed throughout), hinge at the hips
  3. Push your hips back as you lower the bar along your legs
  4. Keep the bar close to your body — it should brush your shins
  5. Lower until you feel a strong stretch in your hamstrings
  6. Drive your hips forward to return to standing

How many reps & sets

A common starting point is 4 sets of 10 reps. Progress gradually and stop if you feel sharp pain.

Form tips

  • The knee bend stays constant — this is a HIP hinge, not a squat
  • Keep the bar close to your legs at all times
  • Feel the stretch in your hamstrings, not your lower back
  • Squeeze your glutes hard at the top

Muscles worked

Hamstrings, Glutes, Erector Spinae, Core

When to be cautious

  • Acute lower back pain
  • Hamstring tear

Who should do the Romanian Deadlift?

The Romanian Deadlift is well suited to intermediate exercisers looking to strengthen the lower body and improve strength and flexibility as part of general conditioning.

Romanian Deadlift — FAQ

What muscles does the Romanian Deadlift work?
The Romanian Deadlift primarily targets the hamstrings, glutes, erector spinae, and core.
How many sets and reps of the Romanian Deadlift should I do?
A common starting point is 4 sets of 10 reps. Progress gradually and stop if you feel sharp pain.
Do I need equipment for the Romanian Deadlift?
You'll need: barbell.
When should I avoid the Romanian Deadlift?
Take care or skip it if you have: acute lower back pain and hamstring tear. When in doubt, check with your physiotherapist.
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