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I know you have to keep the barbell close to your body and your knees slightly off lock, but I don't feel that stretch in my hamstrings even if I go pass the knees even as low as the shins. I don’t have a raised board to stand on to get a deeper stretch as some people say. Now I find if I hold the barbell away from my body “not running down the legs” as my torso bends I feel a deeper stretch in the hamstrings which when taken to my max rep they are throbbing. Question is although not right form as the video link states I still feel a better hamstring performance by doing it the way I mention. So if I not doing this exercise the way you are suppose to why do I feel a better stretch and will I suffer any back problem from doing it that way?

Here’s a video of correct form
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpzRX3slWjE

krs wrote:I know you have to keep the barbell close to your body and your knees slightly off lock, but I don't feel that stretch in my hamstrings even if I go pass the knees even as low as the shins. I don’t have a raised board to stand on to get a deeper stretch as some people say. Now I find if I hold the barbell away from my body “not running down the legs” as my torso bends I feel a deeper stretch in the hamstrings which when taken to my max rep they are throbbing. Question is although not right form as the video link states I still feel a better hamstring performance by doing it the way I mention. So if I not doing this exercise the way you are suppose to why do I feel a better stretch and will I suffer any back problem from doing it that way?

Here’s a video of correct form
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpzRX3slWjE

I actually switched these for hamstring curls a while back, for the reasons you stated. The straight leg deadlifts seem too threatening to the lower back for the payoff - basically stretching your hamstrings - when you could just sit on the floor and do that. About two years ago I pulled out something in my tailbone doing the straight leg deadlifts the way you described them.

But, if Mark swears by them, there's probably something to them they way he says that we're missing.

I was thinking of leg curl but the SLDL is king of hamstrings as you can handle more weight wih the compound exercise. Thanks for advice will take onboard

For me SLDL is a great ham exercise.But as you said it is indeed a lower back threat if you use it the wrong way. First of all the form.Just go with your body mechanics.The most natural way to do an exercise.I see people(the only few that come to the squat rack,unfortunately ) struggling with the form of SLDL too much. Second and most important is how many other exercises that affect lower back directly or indirectly you have in a single workout. For example if you do heavy Squats then Front Squats then Good Mornings then SLDLs this is really a nightmare for your lower back,no matter how ''natural'' your form is and how strong is your back.

I do Leg Curls more frequently though, since SLDLs bring me the worst DOMS more than any other exercise,and DOMS are not good for me,they are just an obstacle that keeps me from training more frequently.The DOMS are more intense when I generally do more reps. When I do 6 reps per set at max they are normal or little.

But SLDL is indeed the best ham exercise no doubt about it. Bigger load,bigger overload .

I normally do 3 x back squats, 3 x front squats 2 x SLDL & 2 x calf press. I don't find the traditional way a problem with my back it's just I don't feel I get enough stretch. I have tried a more narrow stance which helps, also if I hit the gym I can use really heavy dumbbells which is a great help, but lately I prefer to workout at home and my 18” dumbbell bar’s don’t hold enough weight plates to get a good workout from 8-12 rep range. I'm more interested in the idea with your body mechanics like I said I feel more stretch and comfortable when the bar is away from my body as my torso bends forward so I will go with that style for now and see if I run into trouble later but so far it works for me. Thanks for all replies great help

If I find the work load too muh maybe a good idea would be to do SLDL on another day but at the moment my weekly routine looks like this.

Mon
Chest & Abs

Tue
Back & Traps

Wed
Off

Thu
Shoulders & Triceps

Fri
Thighs,Hams & Calves

Sat
Biceps, Forearms & Abs

I do the same too (bar away from body).It feels more natural to me and I do it like this. And I can feel a very deep stretch in my hams as well.

As for the schedule, a good way is to have a day in the week where you do quad dominant exercises(squats,front squats,hack squats,leg press,leg extensions etc) and one where you do ham/glute dominant exercises (regular Deadlifts,SLDLs,Good Mornings,Leg Curls,Ham Raises).That's definately gives more attention and volume to each part.But since most people are too busy to give two days a week to their legs(I am not ),stick to the quality of 1 day per week.

If I had the time would love to dedicate a day for quads and a day for hams. I was thinking of doing SLDL on back day that means I would have to do 2x weighted pull-ups 2x bent over rows 2x cable rows 3x deadlifts then I suppose I would need atleast 3x SLDL would that be fine in that order?

It sounds good,and deadlifts and bb rows work hamstrings too,so it's a complete workout for them.The only way to find is to try it,but 1 extra exercise will not cause much of a trouble I guess.

I think I give it a try Appreciate yhe feedback