Deadlifts for Hamstrings

The Rose · 07-29-2001, 04:12 PM

Yesterday I was in the gym doing straight leg deadlifts for my hamstrings. This is where I actually bend at the waist (thereby bend my back) when the barbell is lowered to my ankles. I guy came up to me and told me to keep my back straight (which is also known as a straight leg straight back deadlift). I told him that this was an inferior exercise because it is more of an isolation exercise whereas the straight back deadlift is a compound movement. He disagreed with me. What do you think?

**I Are Baboon** · 07-29-2001, 04:32 PM

First of all, tell him to mind his own fooking business.

For the exercise you were doing, bending your back is correct.

Charger · 07-29-2001, 04:38 PM

I have to disagree, if you keep your back stiff you will isolate your hams better. If you want to do reguler deads then bend at the waist and knees.
And I would also tell the guy to mind his own business, he may have been right but I never give advice unless it is asked for or I see someone doing something that may result in an injury.

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Can't never did nothin,(Dedicated to my father)

**I Are Baboon** · 07-29-2001, 04:45 PM

OK, take your pick I guess. I've got two books: "Ulitimate Bodybuilding" by Joe Weider, and "The Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding" by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Joe says bend your back, Arnold says keep it straight. I think those two guys should battle it out in a steel cage match to see who is right.

I've always bent my back. But what the hell do I know?

And regarding the free advice the guy gave, if I wanted help, I'd ask or do some research. I'd never listen to any of the morons who go to my gym (especially the personal trainers!).

[Edited 1 time by I Are Baboon on 07-29-2001 at 05:49 PM]

TheSupremeBeing · 07-29-2001, 04:48 PM

Keep it straight.

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Complex problems have simple, easy to understand, wrong answers.

**Prince** · 07-29-2001, 04:57 PM

Stiff legged dead lifts: back straight, slight bend in the knees (don't lock them).

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Just because the majority believes it, does not make it true!

The Rose · 07-30-2001, 09:18 AM

Prince, stiff leg dead lifts target your lower back more than anything! Please note I do not bend my knees at all, only my waist and hips.

[Edited 1 time by The Rose on 07-30-2001 at 10:21 AM]

**MtnBikerChk** · 07-30-2001, 10:02 AM

I think if you bend your back, you increase your chance of injury.

Pemburu · 07-30-2001, 10:52 AM

I keep my back straight with a little arch if possible. Mainly because I'm older, and if I bend my back you'll hear it pop from across the gym, but only if they turn that "RAP" music down a little. Keep it straight while you're young so you won't have to baby it when you get older.
JC

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On the Down Hill

Charger · 07-30-2001, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Rose:
Prince, stiff leg dead lifts target your lower back more than anything! Please note I do not bend my knees at all, only my waist and hips.

I agree with Prince, not locking your knees or any joint for that matter is a given, your asking for a injury otherwise. I also do stiff legged deads for my HAMS. I do reguler deads for my lower back.

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Can't never did nothin,(Dedicated to my father)

**Prince** · 07-30-2001, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Rose:
Prince, stiff leg dead lifts target your lower back more than anything!

Yes, they do work your lower back, but the main target of this exercise is your hamstrings.

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Just because the majority believes it, does not make it true!

The Rose · 07-30-2001, 07:34 PM

I disagree with you Prince. The main target of stiff legged deadlifts are the erector spinae. The main target of straight leg or straight leg straight back deadlifts are the hamstrings. See the following website.
http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...gDeadlift.html

Compare then with the following sites. http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...gDeadlift.html http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...gDeadlift.html

[Edited 1 time by The Rose on 07-30-2001 at 08:38 PM]

**Prince** · 07-30-2001, 08:20 PM

are you serious?

I'm sorry, Straight leg Deadlifts.

I did not realize that we were differentiating on the words "straight" and "stiff".

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Just because the majority believes it, does not make it true!

The Rose · 07-31-2001, 05:21 AM

Prince, I guess different people use different terminology, but notice that the straight leg deadlift on the site requires you to bend at the waist thereby bending your back which is what you said not to do earlier.

Charger · 07-31-2001, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Rose:
Prince, I guess different people use different terminology, but notice that the straight leg deadlift on the site requires you to bend at the waist thereby bending your back which is what you said not to do earlier.

Sorry for butting in but wouldn't these be called (Good Mornings)

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Can't never did nothin,(Dedicated to my father)

Maki Riddington · 07-31-2001, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Charger:
Sorry for butting in but wouldn't these be called (Good Mornings)

*** Good morning would be when you place the bar on your back (7th vertabre) and flex at the hips.

I'm confused here. Bending the back would require one to round their back, doing this would transfer the weight onto the ligaments and other tissues surrounding the vertabre.

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Exercise, my drug of choice

TheSupremeBeing · 07-31-2001, 07:49 PM

We can always count on TheRose to bring up a controversy...

The only muscle group that should be trained with a rounded back is abs, remember that.

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Complex problems have simple, easy to understand, wrong answers.

Maki Riddington · 07-31-2001, 08:20 PM

Yup.

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Exercise, my drug of choice

The Rose · 08-01-2001, 10:08 AM

Supreme, I am not making up the bending of the back controversy. Go check out the website I posted under straight leg deadlift. The guy performing the exercise bends his back/waist during the movement.

**Prince** · 08-01-2001, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheSupremeBeing:
The only muscle group that should be trained with a rounded back is abs, remember that.

Agreed.

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Just because the majority believes it, does not make it true!

The Rose · 08-06-2001, 10:23 AM

Prince, which one of the following three exercises most closely describes your meaning of stiff legged deadlifts?
http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...gDeadlift.html
http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...gDeadlift.html
http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...gDeadlift.html

**Prince** · 08-06-2001, 01:12 PM

To be honest with you I never differentiated between the two.

Stiff = Straight in my book.

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Just because the majority believes it, does not make it true!

The Rose · 08-06-2001, 05:38 PM

Okay Prince, then if you pay close attention to the straight back deadlift example, the person actually bends his lower back and waist. I think you really mean the straight leg straight back example!

08-06-2001, 05:46 PM

If your not going to keep your back straight then don`t do this exercise cause your just going to end up with back problems.

Scotty the Body · 08-07-2001, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by new1shmoo:
If your not going to keep your back straight then dont do this exercise cause your just going to end up with back problems.

I totally agree, for any new people that may be reading this, PLEASE KEEP YOUR BACK STRAIGHT AND YOUR HEAD UP!!!!
I would also suggest to wear a belt while doing any standing back exercises.
If you don't, your just asking for trouble.

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Just another day in the gutter

Maki Riddington · 08-07-2001, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Scotty the Body:
I would also suggest to wear a belt while doing any standing back exercises.
If you don't, your just asking for trouble.

*** Wearing a belt for extended periods of time can be detrimental.

Isn't it ironic that it is suggested to wear a belt to protect oneself while performing movements that aid in strengthening the body in everyday activities?

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Exercise, my drug of choice

[Edited 1 time by Maki Riddington on 08-07-2001 at 08:57 PM]

Scotty the Body · 08-08-2001, 09:06 AM

Ok ok, let me elaborate a little more on my OPINION on wearing a belt.
I personally wear one when I'm getting close to my max on say deadlifts. I've found that I can lift more weight safely than without.
I use to only do like 225lb and I wore a belt as it was close to my max, now I don't strap it on till I'm over 315lb, so I don't wear it through my entire workout, just when I'm near my max.

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Just another day in the gutter

Charger · 08-08-2001, 04:42 PM

I do the same,I may not even need it but I feel better using it when I lift heavy,squats&deads.

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Can't never did nothin,(Dedicated to my father)

TheSupremeBeing · 08-08-2001, 05:18 PM

I find it amusing how if you say something is your opinion regardless of how ridiculously idiotic the statement is it can't be wrong, because well it's just your opinion!

Bahaha.

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Complex problems have simple, easy to understand, wrong answers.

07-29-2001, 04:12 PM	#1
The Rose Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 188	Deadlifts for Hamstrings Yesterday I was in the gym doing straight leg deadlifts for my hamstrings. This is where I actually bend at the waist (thereby bend my back) when the barbell is lowered to my ankles. I guy came up to me and told me to keep my back straight (which is also known as a straight leg straight back deadlift). I told him that this was an inferior exercise because it is more of an isolation exercise whereas the straight back deadlift is a compound movement. He disagreed with me. What do you think?

07-29-2001, 04:45 PM	#4
I Are Baboon pedal pedal pedal Moderator Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Beerville Posts: 11,000 Photos: 10	OK, take your pick I guess. I've got two books: "Ulitimate Bodybuilding" by Joe Weider, and "The Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding" by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Joe says bend your back, Arnold says keep it straight. I think those two guys should battle it out in a steel cage match to see who is right. I've always bent my back. But what the hell do I know? And regarding the free advice the guy gave, if I wanted help, I'd ask or do some research. I'd never listen to any of the morons who go to my gym (especially the personal trainers!). <FONT COLOR="#000002" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[Edited 1 time by I Are Baboon on 07-29-2001 at 05:49 PM]</font>

07-30-2001, 09:18 AM	#7
The Rose Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 188	Prince, stiff leg dead lifts target your lower back more than anything! Please note I do not bend my knees at all, only my waist and hips. <FONT COLOR="#000002" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[Edited 1 time by The Rose on 07-30-2001 at 10:21 AM]</font>

07-30-2001, 07:34 PM	#12
The Rose Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 188	I disagree with you Prince. The main target of stiff legged deadlifts are the erector spinae. The main target of straight leg or straight leg straight back deadlifts are the hamstrings. See the following website. http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...gDeadlift.html Compare then with the following sites. http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...gDeadlift.html http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...gDeadlift.html <FONT COLOR="#000002" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[Edited 1 time by The Rose on 07-30-2001 at 08:38 PM]</font>

08-06-2001, 05:46 PM	#24
new1shmoo Guest Posts: n/a	If your not going to keep your back straight then don`t do this exercise cause your just going to end up with back problems.
new1shmoo Guest Posts: n/a

07-29-2001, 04:32 PM	#2
I Are Baboon pedal pedal pedal Moderator Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Beerville Posts: 11,000 Photos: 10	First of all, tell him to mind his own fooking business. For the exercise you were doing, bending your back is correct.

07-29-2001, 04:38 PM	#3
Charger Pump Junky Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Iowa Posts: 465	I have to disagree, if you keep your back stiff you will isolate your hams better. If you want to do reguler deads then bend at the waist and knees. And I would also tell the guy to mind his own business, he may have been right but I never give advice unless it is asked for or I see someone doing something that may result in an injury. ------------------ Can't never did nothin,(Dedicated to my father)

07-29-2001, 04:48 PM	#5
TheSupremeBeing Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Chillin' in mah cribb, yo. Posts: 598	Keep it straight. ------------------ Complex problems have simple, easy to understand, wrong answers.

07-29-2001, 04:57 PM	#6
Prince the one & only Administrator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 33,982 Blog Entries: 25 Photos: 320	Stiff legged dead lifts: back straight, slight bend in the knees (don't lock them). ------------------ Just because the majority believes it, does not make it true!

07-30-2001, 10:02 AM	#8
MtnBikerChk Stealth Moderator Moderator Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Dead last Posts: 1,456	I think if you bend your back, you increase your chance of injury.

07-30-2001, 10:52 AM	#9
Pemburu Person Jungle Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: South of the Border Posts: 190	I keep my back straight with a little arch if possible. Mainly because I'm older, and if I bend my back you'll hear it pop from across the gym, but only if they turn that "RAP" music down a little. Keep it straight while you're young so you won't have to baby it when you get older. JC ------------------ On the Down Hill

07-30-2001, 08:20 PM	#13
Prince the one & only Administrator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 33,982 Blog Entries: 25 Photos: 320	are you serious? I'm sorry, Straight leg Deadlifts. I did not realize that we were differentiating on the words "straight" and "stiff". ------------------ Just because the majority believes it, does not make it true!

07-31-2001, 05:21 AM	#14
The Rose Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 188	Prince, I guess different people use different terminology, but notice that the straight leg deadlift on the site requires you to bend at the waist thereby bending your back which is what you said not to do earlier.

07-31-2001, 07:49 PM	#17
TheSupremeBeing Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Chillin' in mah cribb, yo. Posts: 598	We can always count on TheRose to bring up a controversy... The only muscle group that should be trained with a rounded back is abs, remember that. ------------------ Complex problems have simple, easy to understand, wrong answers.

07-31-2001, 08:20 PM	#18
Maki Riddington Fat Bastard Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Canada Posts: 383	Yup. ------------------ Exercise, my drug of choice

08-01-2001, 10:08 AM	#19
The Rose Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 188	Supreme, I am not making up the bending of the back controversy. Go check out the website I posted under straight leg deadlift. The guy performing the exercise bends his back/waist during the movement.

08-06-2001, 10:23 AM	#21
The Rose Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 188	Prince, which one of the following three exercises most closely describes your meaning of stiff legged deadlifts? http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...gDeadlift.html http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...gDeadlift.html http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...gDeadlift.html

08-06-2001, 01:12 PM	#22
Prince the one & only Administrator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 33,982 Blog Entries: 25 Photos: 320	To be honest with you I never differentiated between the two. Stiff = Straight in my book. ------------------ Just because the majority believes it, does not make it true!

08-06-2001, 05:38 PM	#23
The Rose Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 188	Okay Prince, then if you pay close attention to the straight back deadlift example, the person actually bends his lower back and waist. I think you really mean the straight leg straight back example!

08-08-2001, 09:06 AM	#27
Scotty the Body I'm Dead Sexxxxy!! Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Canada Posts: 4,970	Ok ok, let me elaborate a little more on my OPINION on wearing a belt. I personally wear one when I'm getting close to my max on say deadlifts. I've found that I can lift more weight safely than without. I use to only do like 225lb and I wore a belt as it was close to my max, now I don't strap it on till I'm over 315lb, so I don't wear it through my entire workout, just when I'm near my max. ------------------ Just another day in the gutter

08-08-2001, 04:42 PM	#28
Charger Pump Junky Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Iowa Posts: 465	I do the same,I may not even need it but I feel better using it when I lift heavy,squats&deads. ------------------ Can't never did nothin,(Dedicated to my father)

08-08-2001, 05:18 PM	#29
TheSupremeBeing Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Chillin' in mah cribb, yo. Posts: 598	I find it amusing how if you say something is your opinion regardless of how ridiculously idiotic the statement is it can't be wrong, because well it's just your opinion! Bahaha. ------------------ Complex problems have simple, easy to understand, wrong answers.