Straight-Leg Deadlift
Like the Romanian deadlift but with the knees nearly locked; the range is longer and the hamstrings take everything.
How to do it
Setup
Bar at the thighs, knees NEARLY locked, shoulders back.
Steps
- Hinge with the legs long, bar down the thighs.
- Stop where the flat back and hamstrings agree.
- Drive the hips forward to stand.
Common mistakes
Chasing the floor: the nearly-locked knees SHORTEN the range; respect it. Rounding for depth: the stretch sets the bottom. Loading like the RDL: longer lever, lighter bar.
Breathing
Inhale hinging, exhale standing.
