SLDL advice-

[MsBeverlyHills]

the new guy Im training with said my knees s/b slightly bent on SLDLs-- Ive been doing them straight-leg...knees locked. He said that puts stress on your joints?? I dont get that cauyse I never feel SLDLs in my knees !

anyway-- if I dont lock my knees-- my back starts to round & i feel the lift in my lower back (not hammys)... so whats your guys take on the knee thing?? straight or bent???

thanks!

 

[gettinlarger]

Bent. Never lock them. Remember, they are stiff-legged, not straight-legged.

Keep your shoulders back, and a tight arch on your back.

 

[SofaGeorge]

He's wrong.

I don't bend my knees... and I would consider it poor form if I did.

 

[c3ntrifug3]

um

Never lock your knees with SLDL. Really bad for your joints.

When you hear people say "locked" I think they generally mean that you're supposed to keep them in a slightly bent position but without moving them from that position through the motions of the reps. This takes a little getting used to as having your knees locked makes it easier to keep your legs from moving during the exercise, but once you get it down it's much better for you.

 

[Debaser]

He's wrong.

I don't bend my knees... and I would consider it poor form if I did.

I'm sorry but "poor form" is the "correct" form in this case. You bend your knees slightly, with your ass sticking out, and your pelvis comes forward until you're standing just about straight up at the top of the lift.

You should never, EVER have your knees locked while performing this exercise. It's dangerous.

 

[argent]

They are slightly bent, but fixed in that position. Don't worry about how far down the bar goes. Worry about sticking your ass back as far as possible and everything else will work itself out.

 

[MsBeverlyHills]

thanks all... so knees are locked in a slightly bent position...oh man.. I hate it when Im wrong!!! LOL!

 

[gonelifting]

they should also be done on a platform I think. Unless you use 20 5lb plates on each side.

 

[SofaGeorge]

He's wrong.

I don't bend my knees... and I would consider it poor form if I did.

Please not when I said "He's wrong" I was refereing to the trainer and not trying to flame someone here on this board.

 

[casualbb]

I just do them off the floor like a normal deadlift -- not flexible enough to do it on a platform and go all the way to the bottom without my back rounding. But yeah, you need a little flexion in the knees.

-casual