How to Do Stiff Leg Barbell Good Morning
Start and end of one clean rep of Stiff Leg Barbell Good Morning.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Hamstrings |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | Glutes, Core |
| Equipment | Barbell |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform Stiff Leg Barbell Good Morning
- This exercise is best performed inside a squat rack for safety purposes. To begin, first set the bar on a rack that best matches your height. Once the correct height is chosen and the bar is loaded, step under the bar and place the back of your shoulders (slightly below the neck) across it.
- Hold on to the bar using both arms at each side and lift it off the rack by first pushing with your legs and at the same time straightening your torso.
- Step away from the rack and position your legs using a shoulder width medium stance. Keep your head up at all times as looking down will get you off balance and also maintain a straight back. This will be your starting position.
- Keeping your legs stationary, move your torso forward by bending at the hips while inhaling. Lower your torso until it is parallel with the floor.
- Begin to raise the bar as you exhale by elevating your torso back to the starting position.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles worked
- Hamstrings (primary): bends the knee and extends the hip through hinges and pulls.
- Glutes (secondary): extends and stabilises the hip — the engine behind hinges, squats and sprints.
- Core (secondary): braces the trunk and resists twisting to protect the spine.
Sets & reps by goal
| Goal | Sets × reps | Load | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3–5 × 3–5 | Heavy (~85%+) | 2–3 min |
| Hypertrophy | 3–4 × 8–12 | Moderate (~65–75%) | 60–90 s |
| Endurance | 2–3 × 15–20 | Lighter (~50–60%) | 30–45 s |
Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
Form tips
- Lead with the hips, keep a soft knee and hold a long, flat back through the hinge.
- Keep the bar path close and stacked over your mid-foot; letting it drift forward wastes force and loads the lower back.
- Treat every rep the same — a repeatable setup and bar path is what lets you add weight safely over time.
- Stop a rep or two short of failure on most sets to keep form clean and recover faster.
Common mistakes
- Rounding the lower back to reach lower instead of hinging at the hips.
- Loading the bar heavier than your form allows and turning strict reps into a whole-body heave.
- Chasing weight jumps before the current load feels solid on every rep.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does Stiff Leg Barbell Good Morning work?
Stiff Leg Barbell Good Morning mainly works the hamstrings, with the glutes, core helping as secondary movers.
What equipment do I need for Stiff Leg Barbell Good Morning?
Stiff Leg Barbell Good Morning needs a barbell and plates (plus a rack or bench where the movement calls for one).
How many sets and reps should I do for Stiff Leg Barbell Good Morning?
It depends on your goal: about 3–5 sets of 3–5 heavy reps for strength, 3–4 sets of 8–12 for muscle growth, or 2–3 sets of 15–20 for endurance. Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
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