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Dumbbell Straight-Leg Deadlift

Strengthen hamstrings & glutes with Dumbbell Straight-Leg Deadlifts! Improve your posterior chain and stability.

The Dumbbell Straight-Leg Deadlift is a compound exercise that mainly works the glutes & hips and hamstrings, with help from the lower back, quads and core. You'll need: dumbbells.

Dumbbell Straight-Leg Deadlift demo video 2
Mr. Grey
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Required Equipment

Dumbbells
Dumbbells

Dumbbell Straight-Leg Deadlift Muscles Worked

Primary

Glutes (gluteus maximus); Hamstrings

Secondary

Spinal Erectors (erector spinae); Quads (quadriceps femoris); Deep Core (transverse abdominis)

How to do the Dumbbell Straight-Leg Deadlift

  1. Start by standing on a flat surface with your feet hip-width apart and a dumbbell in each hand. The dumbbells should be in front of your thighs, palms facing your body.

  2. Keep your legs straight or with a slight bend in the knees to protect your lower back, and brace your core.

  3. Hinge at your hips and start lowering the dumbbells toward the ground while keeping your back straight and chest up. It's important to ensure the movement is coming from the hips rather than the lower back.

  4. Lower the weights as far as your flexibility allows without rounding your back. You should feel a stretch in your hamstrings.

  5. Engage your hamstrings and glutes to reverse the motion, and bring your torso back up to a standing position, keeping the dumbbells close to your body.

  6. Squeeze your glutes at the top of the movement and maintain a neutral neck and spine alignment throughout the exercise.

  7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions and sets.

Ensure you perform the movement with control and avoid using momentum. The weight should be appropriate to maintain proper form throughout the exercise.

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Dumbbell Straight-Leg Deadlift FAQs

What muscles does the Dumbbell Straight-Leg Deadlift work?

The Dumbbell Straight-Leg Deadlift mainly works the glutes & hips and hamstrings, with help from the lower back, quads and core. The main muscles are the gluteus maximus and hamstrings.

What equipment do you need for the Dumbbell Straight-Leg Deadlift?

Dumbbells.

Is the Dumbbell Straight-Leg Deadlift a compound exercise?

Yes. It's a compound movement, meaning it trains several muscle groups at once rather than isolating one.

What workout day should the Dumbbell Straight-Leg Deadlift go on?

It belongs on pull day in a push/pull/legs routine.

What are some Dumbbell Straight-Leg Deadlift variations and alternatives?

Similar exercises include the Barbell Staggered-Stance Deadlift, Barbell Dimel Deadlift, Barbell Stiff Legged Deadlift and Barbell Straight-Leg Deadlift.

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