RDL question

[Anthony21]

Whenever I perform a barbell RDL I barely feel anything in my hamstring. Even with a proper hinge it just seems I don’t get much hamstring activation. Anyone else experience this?

[jademonkey]

Whenever I perform a barbell RDL I barely feel anything in my hamstring. Even with a proper hinge it just seems I don’t get much hamstring activation. Anyone else experience this?

Yes. I do when I go light, deep, and slow. I'm sure I also get activation going heavy, just don't feel it as much at the time. I do try to purposely use hamstrings and glutes, which helps. Single leg romanian deadlift will REALLY work the hamstrings, but I still like the convenience of double leg work.

[Camarija]

Whenever I perform a barbell RDL I barely feel anything in my hamstring. Even with a proper hinge it just seems I don’t get much hamstring activation. Anyone else experience this?

Yes. I switched to weighted 45 degree back extensions. Much better activation the entire movement.

[Anthony21]

Yes. I do when I go light, deep, and slow. I'm sure I also get activation going heavy, just don't feel it as much at the time. I do try to purposely use hamstrings and glutes, which helps. Single leg romanian deadlift will REALLY work the hamstrings, but I still like the convenience of double leg work.

I’ll have to give the single legged version a shot cause the standard one doesn’t do much for me.

[Anthony21]

Yes. I switched to weighted 45 degree back extensions. Much better activation the entire movement.

I train in my garage so unfortunately don’t have one. I hit my reverse hyper a lot but that’s more for my lower back.

[ozbilda]

Whenever I perform a barbell RDL I barely feel anything in my hamstring. Even with a proper hinge it just seems I don’t get much hamstring activation. Anyone else experience this?

so is it working lower back instead ? how low do you take the barbell ?

[CW47]

I've found what works for me to feel it in my hamstrings more is to shift my weight/center of gravity slightly backwards. I do this by trying to put most of my weight on my heels and keep it there throughout the motion.

I'm not really sure how important it is to feel your hamstrings working. It might make a marginal difference, but your naturally needing to use your hamstrings to perform the lift.

[Spanishdream]

I do this by trying to put most of my weight on my heels and keep it there throughout the motion

I second this. RDL are a weird one because they're often the exercise I think "am I doing this correctly?" even after years of training. Pushing my weight to my heels has helped feel activation a lot more.

[air2fakie]

Whenever I perform a barbell RDL I barely feel anything in my hamstring. Even with a proper hinge it just seems I don’t get much hamstring activation. Anyone else experience this?

Try the trap bar, might help you focus on hamstrings. Slow eccentric, up quick.

[Anthony21]

I appreciate the recommendations and tips. I’ll definitely give them a go and go from there.