Dumbbell Romanian deadlift — Form
Free Weights

Lower body

Dumbbell Romanian deadlift

Suggested start: 2–3 sets · 8–12 reps · rest 2 min between sets

Repetitions
Lowered hingeDumbbells
Dumbbell Romanian deadlift in a hip hinge with softly bent knees; hamstrings and glutes highlighted coral.
Hamstrings & glutes

Practice a hip hinge with the weights close to your legs. Control the descent and stand through your hips.

How to do it

  1. Start upright

    Hold a dumbbell in each hand near your thighs, feet hip-width apart.

  2. Soften your knees

    Brace your middle and keep this slight knee bend as you move.

  3. Send your hips back

    Slide the weights close to your legs. Stop when you feel hamstring tension before your back rounds.

  4. Extend your hips

    Press through your feet and bring your hips forward to stand without leaning backward.

Find your form

Keep in mind

  • Keep your neck aligned with your spine.
  • Depth follows control; the weights need not reach the floor.

Watch out for

  • Turning the hinge into a deep squat.
  • Letting weights drift away from your legs.

Movement references

NASM · Dumbbell Romanian deadlift (opens in a new tab)