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Exercise guide

Romanian Deadlift from Deficit

How to do the Romanian Deadlift from Deficit with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.

CompoundBarbellIntermediatePull
Primary muscles

Hamstrings

Secondary

Forearms, Glutes, Lower Back, Traps

Equipment

Barbell

Step by step

How to do the Romanian Deadlift from Deficit

  1. 1

    Begin standing while holding a bar at arm's length in front of you. You can stand on a raised platform to increase the range of motion.

  2. 2

    Begin by flexing the knees slightly, and then flex at the hip, moving your butt back as far as possible, lowering the torso as far as flexibility allows. The back should remain in absolute extension at all times, and the bar should remain in contact with the legs. If done properly, there should be heavy tension felt in the hamstrings.

  3. 3

    Reverse the motion to return to the starting position.

In Ascend

Log it, see it on your body.

Every Romanian Deadlift from Deficit set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap — so your hamstrings volume is visible at a glance — and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.

Related

More hamstrings exercises

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