What is the difference between a stiff leg and a good morning deadlift?
Matthew Wilson
Updated on February 25, 2026
The most important distinction between the two exercises is where the movement begins. The SLDL begins on the floor, from a deadstop, just like a regular deadlift. Ideally, each rep is paused on the floor and completely deloaded between reps, again, just like a regular deadlift. RDLs begin from the hang position – ie.
Are stiff leg deadlifts better?
A stiff leg deadlift puts more stress on the legs & lower back. When compared to the conventional deadlift, the stiff leg deadlift activates the medial gastrocnemius (calf muscle) much more as well.
What are seated good mornings?
The seated good morning is fairly uncommon variation of the good morning that requires very good flexibility. Place a barbell behind your neck as you would for a back squat while sitting with your legs straddling a bench, knees bent and feet flat on the floor in farther forward than your knees.
Is Goodmorning the same as RDL?
The difference between the good morning and romanian deadlift is in the placement of the barbell. In the good morning, the barbell is placed in the same position as a squat. In the Romanian deadlift, the barbell is held with the same grip as a deadlift, in a standing position with the arms extended.
What muscles does the Good Morning work?
The good morning exercise works muscle groups along the backside of your body, including your hamstrings, gluteus maximus, erector spinae, and lower back muscles. With proper form, good morning exercises can increase your leg and back strength.
What type of deadlift is best for legs?
Sumo deadlift
2. Sumo deadlift. Sumo deadlifts allow you to maintain a more upright torso and put more stress on the legs, particularly the glutes and quads.
Are good mornings the same as RDLs?
Are good mornings beneficial?
The Good Morning is an accessory exercise that strengthens and develops the spinal erectors, glutes, and hamstrings. Movements like back squats (low and high bar), deadlifts, and weightlifting movements all require a lifter to establish spinal stability and resistance against lumbar flexion.
Are good mornings for back or hamstrings?
The good morning exercise works the hamstrings, back, glutes, and abs. Using a weighted barbell increases the load on these muscles,1 though beginners should start with a light weight (or no weight at all). Add the barbell good morning to your lower body and core strength training routine.
What is the difference between Good Morning Morning and stiff leg deadlifts?
Good Mornings can be done with a rounded back or a straight back. Basically it works the same as the RDL vs SLDL. The rounded back version will hit the lower back more and the straight back version will hit the hamstrings more. Both the Good Mornings and stiff-legged deadlifts work your lower back, hips and hamstrings.
Is the stiff leg deadlift a viable exercise?
The stiff leg deadlift is a viable training exercise to increase muscular hypertrophy, strength, and integrate sound hamstring range of motion for nearly every athlete.
How do I perform a stiff leg barbell Good Morning Good Morning?
Stiff Leg Barbell Good Morning Instructions. Keeping your legs stationary, move your torso forward by bending at the hips while inhaling. Lower your torso until it is parallel with the floor. Begin to raise the bar as you exhale by elevating your torso back to the starting position. Repeat for the recommended amount…
Why are my deadlifts so sore?
While soreness is not everything, it’s probably our best indicator of which muscles groups are receiving the most stress from our assistance exercises. Goodmornings will also use significantly less weight than the other two deadlift variants. An important point to remember later. Stiff Leg Deadlifts (SLDLs) vs Romanian Deadlifts (RDLs)