Stiff Leg Deadlift: Are Legs reallly stiff?

[WorkinOnIt]

When performing a db stiff leg deadlift, are your legs supposed to be nearly locked (only slight bend at the knees)? Some lifting guides show knees almost locked; Book of Muscle shows knees bent.

Keeping knees nearly-lock seems to restrict the range of motion much more than with knees bent.

Perhaps it doesn't matter? Any input would be appreciated. thanks

[Lisa~]

I love those. I do them just like an RDL, with a slight knee bend. Holding the DBs means you can keep your weight back even more because the load tends to hang just to the outside of your legs.

[John Izzo]

In order to maximze true hip flexion and get the most out of stiff-leggs, you have to keep knees bent and stationary. the rest of teh movemnt comes from the hips.
If you lock them out and reach down you are simply stretching the hammy's and if you have loads, you are asking for injury.

[GqArtguy]

Chicks love this movement for some reason.

[Lost Dog]

Chicks love to do them, themselves, or love that you do them?

[karky]

If its that chicks love to do them, i love that chicks love to do them.

[Jimmy Smith]

Originally Posted by standAPART

In order to maximze true hip flexion and get the most out of stiff-leggs, you have to keep knees bent and stationary. the rest of teh movemnt comes from the hips.
If you lock them out and reach down you are simply stretching the hammy's and if you have loads, you are asking for injury.

Yep, that's a forgotten aspect of SLDL's, true movement comes from the hip, this way we maximize the efficency. Also when you lock out you'll see a ton of lumbar flexion which isn't the best time especially with a load

[Lisa~]

Originally Posted by Lost_Dog

Chicks love to do them, themselves, or love that you do them?

Both!

[WorkinOnIt]

thanks to all for the clarification!

[GqArtguy]

Originally Posted by Lisa~

Both!

Lisa knows me well