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One Move For Big Hamstrings: Stiff-Legged Deadlift.

Do you want massive hamstrings and a strong lower back? Then the stiff-legged deadlift is perfect. Use this exercise with any of the following methods and watch them grow.

Article Summary:

For many bodybuilders, hamstrings have either won them a contest...or lost it.
Stiff-Legged deadlifts are great for the hamstrings and lower back if done properly.
Try this variety of workouts to shock the hamstrings to new levels of development.

One Move For Big Hamstrings:
Stiff-Legged Deadlift

Bodybuilding is a sport that is judged very intently. It is not as much about what you are strong on as much as it is what you are missing or lacking on. Hamstrings are a muscle group that has decided more than one contest in competitive bodybuilding both on the amateur level and as high as the Mr. Olympia itself. If you have great hamstrings, your chances of victory increase by a lot. If not, consider the top 10 a good day.

How Do You Build Hamstrings?

Good question. There are a few movements that can help you develop the back of the thigh but one stands head and shoulders above the rest. Of course I am talking about the Stiff-Legged Deadlift. This movement is not an easy one to master but you will want to so you can reach your full bodybuilding potential.

Click To Enlarge.
The Stiff Legged Deadlift Is Not Easy To Master But
Can Help You Reach Your Full Bodybuilding Potential.

How to Perform the Stiff Legged Deadlift

Grasp a bar using an overhand grip (palms facing down). You may need some wrist wraps if using a significant amount of weight. Stand with your torso straight and your legs spaced using a shoulder width or narrower stance. The knees should be slightly bent. This is your starting position. Keeping the knees stationary, lower the barbell to over the top of your feet by bending at the hips while keeping your back straight.

Keep moving forward as if you were going to pick something from the floor until you feel a stretch on the hamstrings. Inhale as you perform this movement. Begin bringing your torso up straight again by extending your hips until you are back at the starting position. Exhale as you perform this movement. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Click Image To Enlarge.
Stiff-Legged Barbell Deadlift
Click Here For A Video Demonstration Of Stiff-Legged Barbell Deadlift.

You can use dumbbells or the Smith Machine for this movement as well. For more information on all the ways to do the stiff-legged deadlift and video instruction on each check out Bodybuilding.com's Exercise Database. You can see all of this for yourself and even rate how helpful each of the tips are to you.

Click Image To Enlarge.
Smith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift
Click Here For A Video Demonstration Of Smith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift.

Safety First

Besides the wrist wraps, a belt would be another good accessory to have when training so you can train your hamstrings without injuring your back. Also make sure you stretch thoroughly to decrease the potential of injury.

Wrist Wraps:
Sorted By Top Sellers.
A bench day essential, they provide much needed support and stability on your heaviest lifts.

[ Wrist Wraps Sorted By Top Sellers ]

Training the Hamstrings

Are you ready for the gym? I thought so. These workouts are a little different than what you may be accustomed to doing but they will ensure that you have done all you can do to build the back of the leg to the best of your ability.

Dramatic Transformation Principle:

Designed by the author of "Body by Design" and the Editor-in-Chief of the Bodybuilding.com Supersite Kris Gethin, DTP consists of 12 sets ranging from 50 to 5 and back to 50 again. You rest for 45 seconds between sets. This program serves many purposes including less time in the gym, the first set counting as a warm up, cardio benefit with the short rest breaks, and more.

Stiff-Legged Deadlift: 12 sets of 50,40,30,20,10,5,5,10,20,30,40,50, with 45 seconds rest in between sets

FST-7:

Fascia Stretch Training 7 is the system that was made famous by The Pro Creator and founder of Evogen Nutrition Hany Rambod. You do base exercises like you would in a normal high volume training program and finish with seven sets of 8-12 reps with 30-45 seconds rest in between. FST-7 has been used by many greats including Phil Heath and 4 Time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler. If it is good enough for them, you should consider it.

Hamstring Exercise 1: 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps, 60-90 seconds rest

Hamstring Exercise 2: 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps, 60-90 seconds rest

Stiff-Legged Deadlift: 7 sets of 8-12 reps, 30-45 seconds rest

FST-7 Reverse:

Same as the original routine....only backwards. You start with the sevens and then go on to your base movements. This really shocks the hamstrings and will lead to even more shocking results.

Stiff-Legged Deadlift: 7 sets of 8-12 reps, 30-45 seconds rest

Hamstring Exercise 1: 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps, 60-90 seconds rest

Hamstring Exercise 2: 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps, 60-90 seconds rest

High Intensity Training - HIT:

Dorian Yates is the master of HIT and using squats just feels right. You do a warm up set with light to moderate weight. Rest for 1 minute and do a second set with more weight that should only be slightly difficult. Finally you go for 1 all out set for 6-8 reps.

This might not seem like it is difficult but go check out the Blood and Guts video series here on Bodybuilding.com and you will have a new appreciation for the intensity and effort involved. You will want to do this for stiff-legged deadlift and then a second movement to blast the hamstrings.

Stiff-Legged Deadlift: 2 warm up sets of 10-12 reps, 1 work set of 6-8 reps, 1 minute rest

Hamstring Exercise 2: 1 warm up set of 10-12 reps, 1 work set of 6-8 reps, 1 minute rest

The 100 Workout:

In case you are short on time this is a great routine to get you in and out of the gym. This is unique and if you never tried this before you will be in for a shock. You choose a weight that is moderate in effort for you to use. Go for as many reps as you can until you reach failure. You go for as many reps as you can and once you hit failure you rest for the number of seconds it takes to get to a total of 100.

Let's say you got 35 reps on your first set as an example. You rest for 65 seconds before continuing (35 + 65 = 100). Once you finish resting you do another set until you reach failure again. Say you get 25 more this time. You take that 25 and add the previous 35 for 60 total reps. You now rest for 40 seconds (60 + 40 = 100). Now you do a third set and get 20 so now you are up to 80 total reps. That means you rest for only 20 seconds. This process continues until you get to 100 total reps.

This appears complicated but once you do it you will understand it and may even enjoy the challenge in getting to 100 total reps with less rest than the previous workout.

The 100 Workout Example: Stiff-Legged Deadlift

Set 1: 35 reps, with 65 seconds rest

Set 2: 25 reps (60 total), with 40 seconds rest

Set 3: 20 reps (80 total), with 20 seconds rest

Set 4: 15 reps (95 total), with 5 seconds rest

Set 5: 5 reps

Conclusion

Understanding how important it is to train every bodypart is a big step toward success not just in competitive bodybuilding but also with your health in general. Nothing should be considered secondary when it comes to training. Taking the hamstrings as serious as every other bodypart will lead to better hamstrings and a better body overall.

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