Romanian Deadlift vs Back Extension

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Romanian Deadlift works multiple joints at once, Back Extension isolates — difficulty 3 of 5 vs 2. See which fits your Back day.

Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Romanian Deadlift and Back Extension for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Romanian Deadlift vs Back Extension : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Romanian Deadlift more often — 12,198 sessions compared to 6,173 for Back Extension.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Romanian Deadlift and Back Extension differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Romanian Deadlift and Back Extension Differ

What differsRomanian DeadliftBack Extension
Equipmenta barbellbodyweight only
Difficulty3 of 52 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users12,198 sessions6,173 sessions

Related comparisons

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How to Romanian Deadlift

Romanian Deadlift gif

Romanian Deadlift muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Lower the barbell vertically to just below your knees while keeping it attached to your body.
  2. 2. As you go down, let your hips move back first and naturally bend your knees.
  3. 3. When coming up, straighten your knees first and bring your hips forward.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to let the barbell come away from your body.
  2. 2. Keep your arms straight so that your elbows do not bend.
  3. 3. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Romanian Deadlift, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Romanian Deadlift Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Romanian Deadlift methods?Exercise Guide

How to Back Extension

Back Extension gif

Back Extension muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please lower down by bending your hips while keeping your chest open.
  2. 2. Engage your core and come up by extending your hips.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to relax your core throughout the exercise.
  2. 2. Please keep your chest open to avoid rounding your back.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Back Extension, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Back Extension Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Back Extension methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Romanian Deadlift or Back Extension?

Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Back, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

What equipment do Romanian Deadlift and Back Extension need?

Romanian Deadlift needs a barbell, and Back Extension needs bodyweight only.

Which is easier to start with?

Back Extension is the easier place to start. Move to Romanian Deadlift once your form holds up.

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