How to do an Elevated Platform Deadlift
Reviewed by Jim Parker, CPT, B.A. Kinesiology
About Elevated Platform Deadlift
Barbells
Platforms
Workouts with Elevated Platform Deadlift
Target muscles worked
Instructions for Proper Form
Performing deadlifts on an elevated platform increases the range of motion, allowing for a deeper stretch in the hamstrings and glutes at the start of the lift. This variation intensifies the engagement of the posterior chain and can aid in developing greater lower body strength and flexibility. Suitable for experienced lifters, it requires good form and flexibility to execute safely.
- Position the platform on the ground.
- Place a loaded barbell along the platform.
- Stand on the platform with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Squat over the bar.
- Position your hands on the barbell so they are wider than your shoulders and grasp the barbell with an overhand grip.
- Engage your core, straighten your back, and keep your chest up to maintain proper form.
- Roll the barbell toward your shins, making contact with them.
- The barbell’s plates should be on either side of your platform, and your elbows should be outside your knees.
- Engage your quads, glutes and hamstrings to Extend your legs and drive your hips forward by engaging your quads, glutes, and hamstrings.
- Hold this position for a moment.
- Slowly return the bar to its starting position.
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Alternative Exercises to Elevated Platform Deadlift
1. Deadlift
98.7 mSCORESWAPPED 621 TIMESDeadlift is one of the three powerlifting movements. It’s a compound exercise that primarily targets muscles in the rear chain (backside of the body), and is great for developing strength in these muscles. It’s a staple in most programs, and is often used as a metric for tracking strength.
- Intermediate
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2. Romanian Deadlift
98.6 mSCORESWAPPED 388 TIMESRomanian Deadlift is a variation on the more standard Deadlift. It’s a compound exercise that primarily targets your glutes, and hamstrings. Unlike the standard Deadlift, this variation focuses mostly on driving your hips forward to raise the weight, and restricts movement in your knees. This is a great exercise for building strength, and can translate well to other exercises that utilize a hip hinge.
- Intermediate
- Hamstrings
- Barbells
3. Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift
97.6 mSCORESWAPPED 368 TIMESThis exercise is a variation on Romanian Deadlifts. Like other Romanian Deadlifts, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets your hamstrings and glutes. The use of dumbbells can help with some limitations in mobility, and is a great starting point for anyone working towards performing Deadlifts or Romanian Deadlifts with a barbell.
- Beginner
- Hamstrings
- Dumbbells
4. Seated Leg Curl
98.8 mSCORESWAPPED 313 TIMESSeated Leg Curl is a weighted, isolation exercise that targets the hamstrings. Because a vast majority of lower body exercises tend to be compound movements, this exercise is a great way to isolate the hamstrings for building muscle mass, and developing strength. The use of a machine restricts your range of motion, and adds stability, allowing you to focus on exertion more than stabilizing the movement.
- Beginner
- Hamstrings
- Leg Curl Machine
5. Sumo Deadlift
88.9 mSCORESWAPPED 270 TIMESSumo Deadlift is a variation on the more standard Deadlift. Like other Deadlifts, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets muscles in the rear chain (backside of the body), and especially hamstrings and glutes. While this exercise receives some criticism, it’s a perfectly valid choice for building strength, and a great addition to your leg days.
- Intermediate
- Hamstrings
- Barbells
6. Lying Hamstrings Curl
95.8 mSCORESWAPPED 196 TIMESLying Hamstring Curl is a weighted, isolation exercise that targets the hamstrings. There’s a relatively short list of isolation exercises for lower body muscle groups. Because of this, this is a great addition to a lower body workout in order to build strength and muscle mass in the hamstrings specifically. The use of a machine restricts your range of motion, and adds stability to the movement, allowing you to focus on exertion rather than stabilizing the movement.
- Beginner
- Hamstrings
- Leg Curl Machine
7. Good Morning
90.4 mSCORESWAPPED 163 TIMESGood Morning’s are a compound exercise that primarily target muscles in the rear chain (backside of the body), but especially the hamstrings, and lower back. While this can be an effective exercise, there is some risk to performing this exercise with a loaded barbell on your back. If you’re unfamiliar with this exercise, try starting with a dumbbell variation as you learn the movement.
- Intermediate
- Hamstrings
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8. Single Leg Romanian Deadlift
80.8 mSCORESWAPPED 147 TIMESSingle Leg Romanian Deadlift is a variation on the more standard Romanian Deadlift. Like other Romanian Deadlift variations, this is a compound movement that primarily targets the glutes and hamstrings. Performing this exercise on one leg, is a great way to identify, and help address, discrepancies in mobility, strength, and stability between sides. This is a great exercise for anyone looking to improve their ability to perform a large number of other compound lower body movements like Squats, Lunges, or even Olympic lifts.
- Intermediate
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9. Kettlebell Sumo Squat
87.3 mSCORESWAPPED 146 TIMESKettlebell Sumo Squat is a squat variation. Like other squat variations, this exercise is a compound movement that targets the hamstrings, glutes and quads. Positioning your feet wider than you would for a standard squat helps to recruit the inner thigh, as well as help individuals with mobility limitations.
- Intermediate
- Hamstrings
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10. Smith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift
84.6 mSCORESWAPPED 133 TIMESSmith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift is a variation on the more standard Romanian Deadlift. Like other Romanian Deadlift variations, this is a compound movement that primarily targets the glutes and hamstrings. The use of a Smith Machine restricts your range of motion, and adds stability to the movement. This allows you to focus on exertion, or learning the movement rather than focusing on stability.
- Beginner
- Hamstrings
- Smith Machine