Tip: Two Tips For RDL Mastery

Master the Romanian deadlift. Here's are two things you gotta do to get it right.

Remember that the RDL is different than a conventional deadlift. It's all about placing tension on the hamstrings and disengaging the quads. So remember these two cues:

1 – Keep the hips high.

First slightly bend the knees. For the RDL, the knees should be "soft" and not totally straight. Now bend down or hinge, but keep those hips high.

2 – Push the bar towards the ground.

Use this cue during the lowering phase of the lift. Don't just let gravity pull the bar down; actively push it there, then push your hips forward and squeeze the glutes. This will help you to keep your hamstrings tense throughout the lift.

The Biggest RDL Mistake

Too much knee-bend. This will make the RDL less effective by causing your hamstrings to lose tension.

Drew Murphy is a gym owner and personal trainer located in Tiffin, Iowa. Out of his facility, he trains clients using a wide range of strength and conditioning methods.  Follow Drew Murphy on Instagram