Smith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift
The stiff-legged deadlift on the Smith machine: the knees stay nearly locked and the rails keep the bar close while the hamstrings take a long stretch.
How to do it
Setup
Standing close to the Smith bar at the thighs, overhand grip, feet hip-width, knees nearly locked.
Steps
- Turn the bar off the hooks and hinge with the legs long.
- Lower toward the floor as far as the flat back allows.
- Stand back up with the hips, not the lower back.
Common mistakes
Bending the knees as the bar goes lower: that turns it into a Romanian deadlift; keep the legs long. Rounding to reach the stops: the stretch decides the depth. Leaving the bar unhooked when done: turn it back onto the hooks standing tall.
Breathing
Inhale hinging, exhale standing.
