Single-Leg Romanian Deadlift

A one-legged hinge that loads the hamstring while the hip stabilisers fight rotation. Moderate load, sets of 8-10 per side, treated as a control lift rather than a max effort.

DIFFICULTY
Intermediate
EQUIPMENT
Dumbbell
PRIMARY MUSCLES
Hamstrings · Glutes
ALSO WORKS
Lower back · Gluteus Medius · Obliques
HOW TO DO IT
  1. 01Hold a dumbbell in the hand opposite the standing leg.
  2. 02Put a soft bend in the standing knee and set the shoulders down.
  3. 03Hinge at the hip, letting the free leg travel back as a counterweight.
  4. 04Lower until you feel a firm stretch in the standing hamstring with the back flat.
  5. 05Drive the hips forward to stand, keeping the pelvis level throughout.
COACHING CUES
  1. 01Free leg and torso move as one line.
  2. 02Keep both hipbones pointing at the floor.
  3. 03Push the hips back, do not bend the spine.
COMMON MISTAKES
  1. 01Hip of the free leg opening to the ceiling — the lift becomes a twist and the hamstring stops being loaded.
  2. 02Locking the standing knee — the hinge disappears and the stretch lands on the joint instead of the muscle.
  3. 03Chasing depth by rounding the back — range gained at the spine is range lost at the hip.

Note: Reference material, not a prescription. Load, volume and whether this movement suits you at all depends on your assessment — if something hurts, stop and get it looked at.

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