Whats the advantage of doing Romanian Deadlifts instead of pulling Conventionally?

[psychedout]

The name pretty much says it all. I was thinking about dropping conventional deads for a while in favor of Romanian deads. No idea why really, just feel like switching it up.

What advangtages would this bring? If any at all?

 

[Epiphany]

Re: Whats the advantage of doing Romanian Deadlifts instead of pulling Conventionally

The Romanian deads are more of a leg exercise (hams,) while "conventional" deads, at least in my experience, put more pressure on your back/total body...I've actually done both for some time in the past (just made sure they were far enough apart in my split--RDL's on leg day, DL's on back day.)

 

[Anthrax Invasion]

RDLs are much less taxing than conventional deadlifts. They stress the hams to a great degree, while teaching you the proper way to lower the bar during a deadlift (i.e., ass pushed back, break at hips, lower bar along thighs). I'm using them in place of DLs for awhile. They actually feel wonderful on my back, and that's coming from a guy with three herniated discs.

 

[AhMadKooL]

Do both RDL for Hamstrings (legs); and DL for lower back

 

[Anthrax Invasion]

The RDL wil work the lower back just fine. Doing both lifts is redundant. Best to focus on increasing one, preferably RDLs or GMs, and the DL will follow.

 

[AhMadKooL]

The RDL wil work the lower back just fine. Doing both lifts is redundant. Best to focus on increasing one, preferably RDLs or GMs, and the DL will follow.

How is it redundant if RDL works also the hams while regular DLs don't?

 

[blut wump]

It's more a case of RDL's targetting the hips and hams rather then a regular DL not hitting them.

 

[Anthrax Invasion]

Regular deadlifts should definitely affect the hams and hips, so I don't know what you're talking about.

It's redundant 'cause you only need one to increase the other, and they're both lifts that should be trained heavy. Doing both, coupled with squats (hopefully these aren't excluded) and rows can be like playing with fire in terms of lower back longevity. If you have the work tolerance to do it, fine, but most don't, and there's no need to use both lifts at the same time in a cycle. Of course, subbing one in for another at different points is fine.

 

[Jim Ouini]

I used to do a lot of RDL's but the heaviest I could go at the time was 315...now that my dead has surpassed that I'd be interested to go back and see what I could do.

It should be more than my dead, correct? Just like a rack pull is usually heavier.

The only caveat I'd have is that on the eccentric of my dead I can go a little faster and go into controlled drop around knee level. On RDL's I go pretty slow knowing I have to reverse it.