Deadlifts

[Rubato]

Several of you guys have recommended incorporating dead lifts in to my routine. I started reading Anthony Ellis's book last night and didn't realize there were stiff-legged and bent legged deadlifts. In the gym at my school, I only see people doing stiff-legged or very near stiff legged deadlifs, so that is what I've been doing.

Is one of these methods preferred over the other?

 

[EFFORT]

Several of you guys have recommended incorporating dead lifts in to my routine. I started reading Anthony Ellis's book last night and didn't realize there were stiff-legged and bent legged deadlifts. In the gym at my school, I only see people doing stiff-legged or very near stiff legged deadlifs, so that is what I've been doing.

Is one of these methods preferred over the other?

The SLDL really focuses on the hamstrings. They both are good lifts, although the conventional deadlift (bent legged) is better overall. Make sure to go light and get the form down on them.

Mark Rippetoe has a lot of good form videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Syt7A23YnpA

 

[Kerpal]

Stiff leg and Romanian deadlifts are assistance lifts for the deadlift, not replacements.

 

[Colossus]

Stiff-leg = Romanian = Keystone. They're just different names for the same exercise.

But to answer your question, you should employ both, but if I had to chose one it would unquestionably be the standard deadlift.

 

[GameTime76]

Personally, I only do stiff leg deadlifts the same day I do Squats. Its less strain on the spine. Theres just alternative ways to do it. Like your biceps. You can do, preacher curls, cocentration curls or barbell curls. Each of those lifts are basically the same but, will work the area slightly different.

 

[Kerpal]

Stiff-leg = Romanian = Keystone. They're just different names for the same exercise.

Are you sure? I was under the impression that a SLDL was just like a regular deadlift from the floor with the knees locked; while an RDL was a SLDL that starts from the top and doesn't come to a complete stop at the bottom.

 

[Colossus]

Yeah there is some debate about that but they are essentially analogs. The classic SLDL would be lock-kneed, to the floor and back up. The modern RDL I think emphasizes more arch of the lower back and bending of the knees slightly while not touching the floor. I suppose it might stretch the hamstrings better but personally I dont see much difference except RDLs, as they are, dont stress my back as much.