This move strengthens the entire back of your body and works more muscles than the basic squat. Deadlifts also provide a nice stretch for the hamstring with every rep to keep the muscles on the back of your legs flexible and lean.
- Stand holding a pair of medium-weight dumbbells (or barbell) in each hand, arms at your sides, with your knees slightly bent.
- Keeping your arms straight and knees slightly bent, slowly bend at your hip joint, not your waist, and lower the weights as far as possible without rounding your back, which should remain straight. Looking forward, not at the ground, will help you avoid rounding your back. Keep the weights close to, almost touching, your legs.
- Squeeze your glutes to slowly pull yourself up. Be sure not to use your back or round your spine!
- Do 12 reps.
We recommend taking a quick Child's Pose to stretch things out after a set of deadlifts; it gives a great release to your back body!
