what is an rdl

The Romanian Deadlift (RDL) is a type of deadlift exercise that strengthens the back arch, glutes, hamstrings, and other posterior chain muscles. It is a barbell lift where the body is bent at the hips, and the knees are not bent. The RDL is an effective exercise that helps strengthen both the core and the lower body with one move. It can be used to develop movement proficiency in weightlifting as it establishes the correct body positioning through initiation of the posterior chain segment of the hips, buttocks, and hamstrings. The RDL can be done with less weight than traditional deadlifts, which minimizes joint stress. To perform an RDL, one should keep the bar close to the body, hinge at the hips as far as possible without losing the straight line in the back, and return to standing while maintaining the same slight bend in the knees.