Try The Romanian Deadlift for Stronger and Bigger Glutes

The Romanian deadlift (RDL) is a deadlift variation with a high hip position and no help from the quads.

This strength and muscle building exercise is a version of a still-legged deadlift and, crucially, focuses on the eccentric movement pattern. This simply means force is applied as your muscles lengthen, with the aim of slowing down the elongation process to challenge and strengthen your muscles.

As a compound exercise, the Romanian deadlift targets many muscles at once when done correctly, from your lower body to your core.

Source: Courtesy of CrossFit Inc.

Movement demo

What are the benefits of the Romanian deadlift

There are many reasons why to add Romanian deadlifts into your training, from strengthening the biggest muscle in your body – the gluteus maximus – to increasing your hip mobility, they are a great exercise to have in your repertoire.

This deadlift variation is great for isolating the hamstrings and focusing on your hip hinge and body posture, which is important for lifts such as the clean and jerk.

It can also improve your regular deadlift as this is a harder movement with a greater focus on mechanics.

Romanian deadlift muscles worked

This barbell exercise activates many muscles in your posterior chain, including the gluteus maximus, hamstrings, adductors and the erector spinae.

You will be training your hip extension by contracting the glutes and hamstrings to straighten up the hips and come to a standing position. Your spinal erectors will also contract to keep your back in a neutral position throughout this exercise.

Romanian deadlifts variations

While the traditional Romanian deadlift is performed with a barbell and both feet parallel to each other, there are a handful variations you could try:

Split stance Romanian deadlift

This variation of the RDL is performed with one of your legs in front of the other, in a split stance. The purpose of it is to really target the hamstrings and glutes on your front side, while also improving your balance and engaging your core muscles.

Single leg dumbbell Romanian deadlift

For this variation, start holding two dumbbells to your sides as if you were carrying two suitcases. Keeping your neck and spine neutral, and really engaging the core muscles, bend forward at the waist while lifting one leg up. Your standing leg should be kept relatively straight, while the non-working leg should stay in line with the torso.

The single leg dumbbell Romanian deadlift also targets the hamstrings and glutes while placing a big emphasis on your overall posterior chain strength as well.

Supinated grip Romanian deadlift

A supinated grip is one where the palms face away from your body. This RDL variation will place a higher emphasis on your back muscles.

Dumbbell Cross Body Single Leg Romanian Deadlift

The dumbbell cross body single leg RDL requires a great deal of balance and strength. It is a hard exercise even when performed at light weights. The aim of this variation is not to lift heavy but to build body awareness and different movement plains while strengthening your posterior chain and core muscles.

Banded Barbell Romanian Deadlift

By adding bands to this exercise, you can place a higher emphasis on technique, and learn how to master the hip hinge. Resistance is highest at the top of the exercise, which means your muscles will work harder to lower the weight in a controlled manner at the start.

You also have the additional benefit of added resistance standing back up, which activates more muscles and requires a stronger hip hinge than a regular RDL.

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