Reverse Band Deadlift

What it is

This barbell movement uses resistance bands attached to the top of a power rack to assist you through the lifting motion. It allows you to handle heavier loads or improve specific sticking points, primarily engaging your lower back. Your glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps are also significantly involved, along with your abductors, adductors, and calves.

Technique tips

• Set your feet hip-width apart and grip the bar at shoulder width.
• Take a big breath, then lower your hips until shins touch the bar.
• Keep your chest up and back arched throughout the lift.
• Drive through your heels, pulling the bar straight up.
• As the bar passes your knees, squeeze your shoulder blades back.
• Guide the bar down smoothly by bending at your hips.

How to track your progress

Log the weight and reps of each set. Straddly turns every set into an estimated one-rep max, so a heavier single and a strong set of eight both count as progress, and it flags a personal record the moment you beat your best.