Romanian deadlift alternatives

Dumbbells and a Smith machine retain a standing hip hinge. A low-cable pull-through offers a hinge with resistance coming from behind you.

Keep the hinge starting from standing, with softly bent knees. A leg curl bends the knees against resistance and is not included as an interchangeable hinge replacement.

Two frames of the same anatomical figure, a woman, performing a barbell Romanian deadlift, shown from the side against white. Left: the bottom of the rep, hips pushed back, torso close to horizontal, knees clearly bent rather than locked, arms hanging straight with the bar at about knee height just in front of the shins. Right: the finish, standing tall and upright with the bar held at the hips. The barbell carries one plate a side. Highlighted in red on both frames are the glutes and the hamstrings down the back of the thigh, with the shading continuing into the calf; in the standing frame the fronts of the thighs and the forearms are shaded as well. The lower back is left unshaded in both.
What equipment can you use?

Choose everything you have. Some exercises need two items, such as dumbbells and a flat bench. Choose floor space for options without equipment.

Your replacements

Choose your equipment above to see replacements.

Compare all alternatives

These options need different equipment. Use the finder above to show only the setups you can use.

  • Anatomical illustration of a man performing a dumbbell Romanian deadlift in two side-view frames, with the hamstrings and glutes highlighted.

    Similar movement

    Dumbbell Romanian deadlift

    You need: Dumbbells

    Why it fits
    Keeps a controlled standing hip hinge with the knees softly bent.
    What changes
    Each hand controls a separate dumbbell instead of sharing one bar. Available dumbbell weight and grip may limit the load, and the weights do not need to reach the floor.
    See exercise guide
  • Similar movement

    Smith machine Romanian deadlift

    You need: Smith machine

    Why it fits
    Keeps a standing Romanian-deadlift hinge with the bar close to the legs.
    What changes
    Rails constrain the bar path, so your position must suit the machine. Set the safeties and use a fresh load instead of copying the free-bar weight.
    See exercise guide
  • Male anatomical model hinging forward and standing upright with a rope from a low cable pulley behind him, with glutes and hamstrings shaded red.

    Similar movement

    Cable pull-through

    You need: Adjustable cable pulley set low + Cable rope attachment

    Why it fits
    Keeps a hip hinge with softly bent knees and long arms.
    What changes
    A low cable behind you pulls a rope between the legs. The pull direction and balance differ from a bar in front of the thighs; step out and release the tension carefully.
    See exercise guide
See the original exercise guide

How we choose replacements

These are curated alternatives, chosen for the movement and the job the exercise does in a workout. A shared muscle group is not enough. Read what changes before choosing: support, range of motion, balance and resistance can all differ. If your goal is to improve a specific lift, alternatives do not replace practice of that lift.

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