DEADLIFT vs ROMANIAN DEADLIFT (RDL) | Differences & When to Use Each

The deadlift versus Romanian deadlift is a common question that I receive from beginners lifters and athletes starting to program for themselves.

The deadlift and RDL are awesome exercises that I think can benefit most lifters. There are key differences that separate these deadlift styles and understanding those differences can help you better use these exercises for your goals.

In this deadlift versus Romanian deadlift video, I'll cover the main differences between these exercises and when to use each.

0:00 Deadlift Vs RDL Differences
2:38 When to use Deadlifts and RDLs
4:14 Final Remarks

Generally speaking, the deadlift will train the body a little more as a whole and can be a great option for building overall strength.

The Romanian deadlift (RDL), while also a great option for building strength, can be performed a little more in isolation regarding how it targets the posterior muscles like the glutes and hamstrings.

Personally, I love the deadlift because it's a fun and challenging movement and I love using the RDL for building my hinge strength/backside.

#deadlift #romaniandeadlift #workout

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[infinity_]

You explain better than 95% of youtube. Kudos

[aravindnair]

Thanks for making this video ! It also helped me understand how I should be performing the RDL.

[polaro]

I usually don't comment on videos but I'll make an exception with this one. This is one of better fitness videos I watched in a while, from start to finish you are giving crucial information for the exercises without taking our time with long intros. Keep it up you'll make it on YouTube if you continue making these great videos!

[rossy]

That first point you made is simple but perfectly explained the difference!

[andresamell]

the absolute 🐐 when it comes to coaching DL. These edits are also on a whole new level, dig em!

[lisamichelle]

Best explanation I’ve heard and observed 👍 thank you! I get the difference completely now I’ve seen each in practice

[deavida]

Thanks! I watched 3 videos on this topic and this was the only one that gave a clear and organized explanation.

[limlth]

If Ted Lasso coached strength training

[ChristianHernandez-lydo]

Thanks it makes a lot of sense. I tried dumbell RDL for the first time in front of a bar to stabilize my knees and it was wonderful.

[stef]

Love this content - looking forward to some more videos on training. I’ve never really deadlifted until watching your content

[unknown.account]

Great vid, thanks for being so clear and organized, keeping it clean.

[RobinMartin-srpk]

Man, that was just what I was asking at the gym yesterday and you explained it much better than the muscle heads I was with

[magnils]

RDL feels a lil safer to me. So if one is starting out I would chose RDL over traditional DL in combination with squats. Then once your glutes are awake you can start lifting from the floor.

[mariannenolde]

This is the best deadlift/RDL video I’ve seen.

[glynhannaford]

Excellent, thanks for the supreme clarity. 👏

[HallieYoudontneedtoknow]

Wish someone would talk about pressure thigh the feet to do them

[PaulHo]

Coincidentally, I was just watching the ol' Bar Bend video you did on this. I, as a completely unqualified disabled person, kept telling people that you just start from the ground or from standing, without going into detail about concentric and eccentric mechanics. Whoops!

[sammyttheg]

The biggest difference is the hip height. You can still start rdls off the ground

[meshachjones]

I've been working out for years. I've finally understood the difference. Thank you so much