Stiff Legged Deadlift: How to Do It, Muscles Worked & Form Tips

Muscle group: Legs
Primary muscles: Hamstrings
Secondary muscles: Glutes and lower back
Equipment: Barbell
Type: Compound
Level: Intermediate

Video: “Stiff Leg Deadlift Tutorial | Alexia Clark” by Alexia Clark on YouTube.

How to do the Stiff Legged Deadlift

Grasp a bar using an overhand grip (palms facing down). You may need some wrist wraps if using a significant amount of weight.
Stand with your torso straight and your legs spaced using a shoulder width or narrower stance. The knees should be slightly bent. This is your starting position.
Keeping the knees stationary, lower the barbell to over the top of your feet by bending at the hips while keeping your back straight. Keep moving forward as if you were going to pick something from the floor until you feel a stretch on the hamstrings. Inhale as you perform this movement.
Start bringing your torso up straight again by extending your hips until you are back at the starting position. Exhale as you perform this movement.
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Muscles worked

The Stiff Legged Deadlift mainly works your hamstrings, with help from your glutes and lower back.

Stiff Legged Deadlift start and finish positions

Stiff Legged Deadlift: Starting position — Starting position

Stiff Legged Deadlift: Ending position — Ending position

Track your Stiff Legged Deadlift progress

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