Romanian Deadlifts

[Chris__D]

Anyone do these type of deadlifts where you don't drop the bar to the ground each time? I've been doing a couple warmup sets with 100lb (2 50lb DBs), then I use 200lb with a bar. 2 sets of 6 reps. I know 200 isn't a lot of weight compared to what a lot of you do on deadlifts, but I'm wondering if it's a better workout doing Romanian style deadlifts with this lighter weight. I know I could lift quite a bit more weight if I did single reps with regular deadlifts, but I kind of worry about my lower back.

What would you recommend? I really feel like I get a good workout from this. I'm just doing this once a week on the day that I also work back & biceps (pullups, etc.).

Thanks.

[Fudomyo]

I do these. I just call them RDL's.

Keep your knees a tiny bit bent. Keep the bar as close to your legs as possible. It's pretty hard to round your back, which is what most people do with Stiff Legged Deadlifts. You can still pull a back muscle, but that's different.

It's really for hams, but it of course uses your back. I never had hams before I added these.

Just stick at a weight for a while, till you can do some higher reps. Then bump it up. I start at my 3 rep weight and keep going till I hit 8. (Well, normally I'm that patient). Try 6-10 if you just added them, and then ease lower, or go right to 3.

[Chris__D]

Thanks. Yeah, I need to concentrate on bending my knees slightly. I can do 2 sets of 6 without too much trouble on the last set, so I'm going to add 20 lbs. this week when I do them. I feel these in my legs and lower back a lot. Even my arms and shoulders. Just like squats, I'm really breathing hard when I get done with them.

[Fudomyo]

Funny those compound movements are. I'm hard pressed to think of a muscle RDL's don't use. **** yeah they are tiring.

[AdamJM]

Out of curiosity, whats the main difference between these and good mornings?

[rocco]

http://www.olympus.net/personal/cablebar/RL.htm