The glowing area shows where you should feel it working.
Hinges · ●●● Difficulty 2 of 3
Romanian Deadlift
Gluteus maximus · hamstrings
Trains your glutes in a deep stretch — key for building the lower glute and the glute–hamstring tie-in.
Set up
- Stand tall, feet hip-width, weights in front of your thighs.
- Soft bend in the knees that stays the same throughout.
How to do it
- 1Push your hips straight back as if closing a car door with your bum.
- 2Slide the weights down your legs, keeping your back long and neutral.
- 3Stop when you feel a strong hamstring stretch (usually mid-shin).
- 4Drive your hips forward to stand tall and squeeze your glutes.
Form cues
- Hips back, not down
- Weights brush your legs
- Long neck, proud chest
Common mistakes
- Rounding the back to reach lower
- Bending the knees into a squat
- Leaning back at the top
Make it work for you
- Easier
- Hip hinge drill with a broomstick on your back
- Harder
- Single-leg RDL or a 3-second lowering
- Bands
- Long band under feet
- Dumbbells
- Pair of dumbbells
- Gym
- Barbell or dumbbells
Want this in a plan made for you?
Get the right exercises, sets and reps for your goal — progressed over 12 weeks.
Take the quizRecommended gear
For your romanian deadlift
A whole rack in one compact pair
Adjustable dumbbells
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