Their similarity in name is not comparable to the similarity between the "front squat" and "back squat," for example. They are both "deadlifts" because you are "lifting" a "dead" weight from the floor. That's about it.

The stiff-legged deadlift is primarily an exercise for the hamstrings. As such, it should be peformed on "Leg Day." The secondary muscles that it works would be the lower back, glutes, and forearms (cause you have to hold the bar, no?)

The convential deadlift works just about every muscle in your body. It's main focus is on the lower back. This is quite possibly the best exercise for building a strong, thick back. It also effects the quadriceps, but not to a major degree due to the bend in your knees at starting position (you really start pulling from a little above parallel). In addition to those two mucles, there is a secondary effect on your lats, traps, forearms, hips, glutes, abs, man I could go on for pages.

I used to do both, but WarLobo's "The Romanian Deadlift vs. the Stiff-Legged Deadlift" post on the Women's Discussion Board changed my mind. I now do Romanian Deadlifts on Leg Day (Monday) and I Deadlift on Fridays.

Hope this helped.

-Warik

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