[Hail The Phenom]

When people say things like "deadlifts are one of the best exercises you can do" on this forum are they talking about stiff legged or conventional ? If you had to chose between the two which one would it be ?

Cheers

[Rocky]

Both are very effective, however the conventional deadlift is the one which recruits the most amount of "work" from the body as generall the amount of weight you can use for the conventional deadlift is greater as it is a safer and easier movement.

If you only do one of them - do the conventional deadlift.

[Scoular]

I would go with the conventional - more fun and more effort so more gains, in my opinion.

[Minchinator]

Conventional deadlifts are a great overall strength exercise, stiff leg deads are more of an auxillary exercise for your lowerback and to some extent your hamstrings, but they are not the same overall strength and mass builder that regular old deadlifts are.

[thedon]

i like both because they are very effective on the specific muscle group there suppost to be work...stiff legged are my favourite ham exercise ( i haven't done them recently now that you mention it)...and convential is good for just over all strength

[CALIBBER]

deads for the back. it works just about everying in ur body. from legs up to your traps..

[tim290280]

stiff leg deads are more of an auxillary exercise for your lowerback and to some extent your hamstrings

Actually they are a posterior chain exercise, not a low back exercise. Also it would only be auxillary for someone already doing a deadlift in a program.

They work everything from spinal erectors, low back, glutes, hamstrings, and also do work the lats and rear delts and forearms.

[Nothin' but a peanut!!]

deadlift to me is the best exercise ever invented i wouldnt enjoy lifting at all if i couldnt do them i love them

[chesticles]

I agree with rocko, smart and looks. What a package!

[Minchinator]

Originally Posted by tim290280

Actually they are a posterior chain exercise, not a low back exercise. Also it would only be auxillary for someone already doing a deadlift in a program.

They work everything from spinal erectors, low back, glutes, hamstrings, and also do work the lats and rear delts and forearms.

You got me there. I do deadlift a lot so I use stiff legs on my hamstring day, so I do view regular deads as a core exercise and stiff legs as an auxillary exercise. Anytime you are picking up a heavy weight, regardless if it is a conventional deadlift, sumo deadlift, stiff leg deadlift etc., a lot of muscles are being worked, in my mind however when I do stiff's I am really trying to mentally focus on my spinal erectors and hamstrings - everything else is just along for the ride as far as my mind is concerned, so that is whey I said that. I think both are great exercises, but if you are only going to do one and you want the most bang for your buck regular deads are the way to go in my mind.

[ruel]

do conventional deadz. conventional deads recruit muscles on our back, quads and little on hams while the stiff dead is more on hams than quads..

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by chesticles

I agree with rocko, smart and looks. What a package!

[tim290280]

I am really trying to mentally focus on my spinal erectors and hamstrings

I always used to discount the idea of focussing on a muscle when doing an exercise, because many muscles are at play so they all have to help. Well not quite true. If your glutes are too dominant in stiff deads you'll end up with a big ass and no hammys. So the mental focus is great idea, but can't forget what else is involved.

[Minchinator]

Originally Posted by tim290280