Good mornings vs. SL deadlifts

[DaCypher]

It seems that most people prefer deadlifts over most ofther excerises because they work a lot of the body. However, when working the hams, glutes, and lower back while doing SL deadlifts, it seems like good mornings are very similar yet somewhat yet seldom used. Is there any reason for the lack of the good mornings popularity?

Here is how to do good mornings: http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/GluteusMaximus/BBBentKneeGoodMorning.html
And here is how to do stiff-legged deadlifts: http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/GluteusMaximus/BBStrBackStiffLegDeadlift.html

 

[needsize]

I think a lot of the problem is that they are not well known as well the fact that few people know how to do them correctly, ie, if you don't set your back properly then the stress tends to fall directly on the spine as opposed to the muscles around it. They are an excellent assistance exercise to help increase the strength of your deadlift and squat.

 

[ballast]

I agree that good mornings are a terrific exercise for the low back and hamstrings.I think they lack popularity because not many people have seen them done.They are primarily used by powerlifters and oly weightlifters.I've heard that back in the 60's and 70's, they were a staple exercise for most soviet and bulgarian weightlifters, who had tremendous lower back strength and pulling power, and dominated that sport for quite some time.This is one of those exercises that demand 100% concentration to insure proper form and injury prevention.A good variation is bottom-position good mornings performed in a power rack, either seated or standing.These have been great for building up my low back.

 

[Belial]

I like the animation of the woman doing good mornings. I really do.

And yeah, good mornings are excellent. I don't do them these days because my lower back already gets hit plenty from the SLDL's, squats, and deads that I do every week; I need all the recovery I can get. But they're tremendous, and if your lower back is the weak link in any of your big lifts, I think they're worth trying.

 

[needsize]

I started doing them when I hit a sticking point in my deads, I was stuck at 500lbs. Started doing good mornings on squat and back day (now realize that it was too much), but after 8 weeks was able to pull a 545lbs.
My worst injury also came from them as well. I have an abnormally strong lower back and pushed it too far on some 4 plate (405) triples on the goodmornings, lost my form on my last rep, slipped something in my lower back, then suffered debiliating pain in my lower back for the next year.

 

[DaCypher]

It seems it would also be rather easy to hurt yourself doing SL deads as well, or do good mornings put more stress on your lower back than SLDLs?

 

[needsize]

I find good mornings do put more stress on lower back for the simple reason that I can go far heavier on them. But they are the same in the way that if your back isn't set properly for the lift throughout every rep then you can fuck your back in a big way

 

[DaCypher]

Thats interesting.... Although with good mornings you're not limited by your grip/arm/upper back strength as you are with SL deads. That might be a good reason to try good mornings, to concentrate more on hams/lower back.

 

[needsize]

I cycle them in and out of my training, as soon as I start to get really strong on them I drop them as I don't want to risk that injury again, for the most part regular deads and heavy squats with no belt are all I do for back power

 

[Belial]

Certainly failing on SLDLs is a much less dangerous prospect.

 

[needsize]

Agreed, the way I was taught to do them was to sit the bar really low on your back, ie, bottom of traps, to lower your center of gravity, since I squat or deadlift first I'm already sweatin like a fat chick so I tend to have trouble with the bar sliding further down my back, which puts my shoulders in a bad position and basically hurts like hell

 

[Balls of Steel]

SLDl's are much better IMO.

 

[needsize]

BOS, you're basing that on how many years of training?

 

[Mesofreaky]

theres is no replacement for good-mornings I think you need them in your routine. How many times do you see people losing a squat to the front, this should never happen you should never fall forward and miss a squat cause your hams and erectors are in poor shape. I also don't think doing deads is good for anything, you can skyrocket your deadlift without ever gettin on the platform, many of the best dead lifters rely totally on good-mornings and rack pulls for there deadlift.

 

[Heather Darling]

Good mornigs are for low back and stiff-legged deadlifts are for hams/glutes.

 

[bignate73]

Good mornigs are for low back and stiff-legged deadlifts are for hams/glutes.

LOL

the movement is the same, only difference is the distance of the weight from the fulcrum.

good mornings place an exponential amount of stress on the spine. the further the weight goes from the pivot angle the more stress it places on the moment arm. safer bet is to stick to sldl's unless you are rock solid in your form and have managed to put your ego up when doing good mornings. thats the key to longevity with this exercise.

 

[sysopt]

I prefer the sldl.

 

[GRIMMER]

I believe that goodmornings when done properly are a better exercise for increasing your Squat/Deadlifts. Changing the foot spacing can also target a different area of your glut hams from a wide stance, to shoulder width, to feet almost together. FORM IS KEY to staying injury free in this one. I do very few sldl but heavy GM's and my deadlift is still goin up

 

[Sebass67]

LOL...one time i was forced to do a good morning when i bent a little too forward doing a 350pd squat...i think i was on my like 14th rep and so i just got it back up and finished my set of 20...

Scary stuff...it seems funny now but i was lucky i never got hurt...

Finished the set though...

 

[FitnessFrk]

for MASS nothing beats SLDL..if you are working the lumbar region and want to slightly hit the glutes, and hammys then good mornings are a better exercise for that purpose.

 

[hookdup]

Hi fellas,
I've searched for answers to this question elsewhere, but it looks like I need your help.
What is the difference between stiff-legged deadlifts and bent-legged deadlifts?
Do they hit the same muscle groups?
If I'm trying to concentrate on glutes, which is better?

Could ya help a little lady out?