You Aren't Training These Hard Enough (3 Deadlift GAME-CHANGERS)

BaseStrengthAI is more reliable than a coach, cheaper than an Excel template!👇👇👇
www.BaseStrength.com/the-app
Bromley Merch from Barbell Apparel only available HERE! 👇👇👇
barbellapparel.com/Bromley
Have big training goals and don't know the next move? Reach out to me for a consultation!
✅ DM me on Insta: @Bromarama
✅ or email: [e-mail]
⭐Full Workouts Uploaded DAILY on Patreon⭐
/ alexanderbromley
0:00 Intro
1:46 RDLs and Good Mornings
6:33 Machines/Isolation
10:14 Freeweight Rowing
These are 3 of the best deadlift accessory exercises you aren't doing hard enough. Romanian Deadlifts and Good Mornings, Isolation work with machines (like hamstring curls and glute ham raises) and upper back work with a barbell (bent rows and kroc rows).

[@AlexanderBromley]

BaseStrengthAI is more reliable than a coach, cheaper than an Excel template!👇👇👇 www.BaseStrength.com/the-app Bromley Merch from Barbell Apparel only available HERE! 👇👇👇 barbellapparel.com/Bromley

[@ramblr5900]

@alexander bromley i been stuck doing 245 workingset of 3x5 for the whole year no straps. What do you think my 3rm is? Also what can I do better… use straps?

[@kemshasan8866]

Sure do! 5 years into what I will call "my gym membership' up to now since it turns out I don't know shit. I'm a guy that got ahead of myself through excitement. But, I love it so I'm starting from scratch with a few movements is actually gonna be fun.

[@REVIVALFitness]

Last year I pulled ~450 lbs and then took deadlifts out of my rotation. Did 3x8 good mornings, RDLs, and different types of rows for a few months, and first time back deadlifting pulled 500. New gym has a reverse hyper and GHR which I've never used before, I would think a similar result is possible.

[@aavila1206]

Same thing happened to me for my first time from 400lb to 450lb

[@michaels1828]

I’d be too stressed to completely take out the deadlifts for a few months. Good work though

[@ljforpresident912]

Imagine how much more it would have gone up in that time if you kept at least 1 deadlift day in still while hammering those other accessories. Probably would have been 525+ all things considered

[@AlexanderBromley]

Don't let perfect be the enemy of good. A lot of people intuit that if you maintain some type of specific work in the midst of some off-season cycle that it's better, like keeping in some singles in volume phases. That pattern of though is how people get to concurrent training where you just do everything all at once. Could very well be that the recovery from not deadlifting allowed growth that wouldn't have occurred otherwise. When you see a 50lb jump in a few months, don't try to figure out how you could have made it 75.

[@ljforpresident912]

@@AlexanderBromley I’m not saying I disagree with you. However someone who is sub 500 on deadlift in most cases could become somewhat detrained in the movement with a long term hiatus from preforming it. Keeping one deadlift day doesn’t mean you have to be performing heavy singles. It could be something as simple as 60% for speed reps to work on technique and speed while also keeping fatigue low. Theres obviously many ways to skin a cat which is as true for training. The point of my comment wasn’t to take away from gaining 50 pounds on deadlifting because that is an amazing achievement.

[@oscarswider]

LATE FOR CLASS, LOOKS LIKE IM ABOUT TO BE 15 MINUTES LATER 😎😎💪🏻💪🏻

[@thestrongmanhistorian]

You are in the class listening to this.

[@greyghost4471]

@@thestrongmanhistorian n-n-nnoooo😳

[@blenderbanana]

Take your wins, where you will

[@Doxsein]

Go to ur class bro, the vid will still be here when u finish class lol

[@areyouusingthatsquatrack8256]

Need a video like this for squats too.

[@TomT531]

Agreed!!

[@alexmaleno4641]

Yes!

[@Kickboxer7267]

Yes

[@warlosius]

Yes!

[@AlexanderBromley]

Would be a short video. "Squat More", then roll credits

[@heavyrain5949]

I'm so glad I was told about all these movements when I started lifting at 16yrs, especially RDL's, GM's, BOR and Hyperextenions. Upper back in general I think is overlooked too. Even though I missed years of lifting, (still did pull ups/chin ups & dips) these accessory movements do build a great base, so when I did get back on that horse I was a lot stronger then I thought I was gonna be lol. Even though I'm by no means a world class lifter, I love the gym! It's such a great way to handle depression 😃

[@johnborthwick218]

Glad to see rows mentioned here. I remember when I used to wrestle the strongest guys I trained with all had one thing in common; a huge upper back. I think pendlay rows helped my deadlift a lot but I also think rows offer some of the best functional brute strength for athletes.

[@DNO_Fitness]

RDLs have excellent carry over to locking out both sumo and conventional deadlifts. I'm at 650 on deads and I use 315 for sets of 10 on RDL. I love following RDLs with lying hamstring curls to build hamstring size and strength.

[@manto2393]

Me too, I'm currently doing 3 x 5 for RDL and 1 x 20 to get some nice pump

[@stephen8996]

How slow are doing your RDLs? I ask because I hit 355 for a top set of 12 and I really don't think I could pull 600, maybe a bit over 520ish though. But I feel like I can get almost as much from the movement if I drop 100lbs off of it and do much slower and even paused reps

[@DNO_Fitness]

@@stephen8996 I do a 3 second eccentric, concentric is faster but not all out explosive. I pause at the top and squeeze the glutes hard for a second. Lots of TUT.

[@stephen8996]

@@DNO_Fitness fair enough that's almost exactly what I do unless I'm going for an amrap and just keep the hinges clean but without as much emphasis on lowering and pausing

[@DNO_Fitness]

@@stephen8996 I should mention I rarely do RDLs fresh. I add them after squats/deads. That's partly why the weight is lower.

[@dharma_donk170]

Really enjoyed this video, excellent reminder of how important and conducive to growth (in terms of deadlift performance) the RDL and rows are, i will keep these lessons in mind as i return to a consistent training schedule. Thank you for continually inspiring and providing us with content!

[@sauniii4pf606]

man you have no idea how excited I get when you post this informational gold!

[@TheHorrorGeek]

Picked up the paperback versions of Base and Peak Strength this week -- just wanted to say thanks for writing them. It's nice to see someone demystify programming in a way that's really easy to understand and not full of a bunch of gimmicks or trying to push one specific training methodology.

[@kozmo7]

People hate doing rows? The fuck I love barbell rows, rowing 365 for reps feels incredible, working on 405 Nothing like gripping and ripping, Krofk rows too hell yeah brother

[@millemaolchannel8608]

Dude, your channel and Wennings are the two most understated in all of fitness and ALL of KZbin! Great video brother

[@AlexanderBromley]

I appreciate that!

[@paavoilves5416]

Pete Rubish and Ben Pollack too! Bromley's channel is one of my favourite!

[@millemaolchannel8608]

@@paavoilves5416 Pollack is great - he lives in my area too. Pete’s alright

[@mrsmuuve]

Keep the vids up. Love the ones like this

[@nisookh]

Really amped me up .. great motivation as always to add 🔥 to my workout ..

[@aldo5658]

Thanks for the advice ! Revers hypers really helping me with my low back strength! Hopefully I can see more of ur vids with other things I need help on

[@nisookh]

Thank you so much. Amazing content as always thank you Alexander ..

[@michaelvronsky2013]

This is great information! Thanks!

[@chrisbarney1609]

great content, thanks

[@Trackguy77]

I use weighted back extension for my track athletes and seen great improvement especially coming out of the blocks

[@frankcarr6158]

Great video

[@mcbronsh]

Training vs testing is a great point

[@mattmilstead3733]

Great video once again , the shoulder training video u put out is gold my strict OHP is steadily getting better from all the types of over pressing and front raises You had suggested !

[@AlexanderBromley]

Great to hear!

[@xnj_]

Needed this!!

[@onerider808]

I’m on it, Bromley. I’m awarding myself 3x 3-rep pulls of 500 for my 65th birthday.

[@coopaloop727272]

Great video and advice.

[@derekgreen7319]

I love RDLs. I also like the variant where you just go from ankle to knee , it fries your hamstrings and I think helps with off the floor strength.

[@PeteRubish]

45 Degree back raises for the win!

[@posterchild8486]

Push/Pull comp coming up. Will be implementing these tips.

[@Greg-wz6fp]

Ngl I love this dude …thx Brom again for all your info

[@mastersironmantarmstrong7148]

Really cool hat there Bromley hanging on the rack and really good video as usual!

[@robinlove6981]

I can't speak highly enough of this video. I peaked with my max DL years ago and spent ages trying to force my way past to no avail. I stopped deadliftong and worked an accessory exercises and it helped so much. Hyer ys and hammy curls

[@Kalilloko]

Thank you a lot.

[@user-zx6nj2le4l]

Great video!!!

[@scotthaas933]

Great video! Very true.

[@jukka1135]

I needed to see this.

[@JMSTRENGTH]

Another class video! My hams really blow up doing goodmornings!

[@bondedcarbon]

Always great content Bromley. Been taking a break from powerlifting to do muay thai and bodybuilding, but when you were training me you introduced me to a lot of annoying ass movements that definitely pay off big time if you can drag yourself to put in the work.

[@jasonsmithers8080]

Awesome video mate cheers from🦘🦘🦘

[@kariusbaktus165]

Back extensions are really great.

[@mattc4266]

Amazing video

[@TheMTHSYoshi]

Nice video Bromley! Just wanted to say thank you for all the amazing content you put out. I've made pretty good gains across the board using volume phases that I drew together from a few of your past videos. I am working on getting my lagging lower body up to snuff. What would you suggest as a replacement for reverse hypers and back extensions towards the end of the video? I'm training in a home gym at the moment with decent equipment but missing those. Also any ideas for quad development for someone who has a bone spur blocking their ankle? Do I just do all my squats with a plate under my foot? Lol. Thank you for the amazing content as always!

[@strong.fit.active]

Great video, going to implement some of this in my training. Hanging around a 555-560lb deadlift, and want to drive it up over 6 eventually.

[@aesop2733]

I automatically found RDLs to be more maintainable in a program(fatigue) so I switched to RDLs and actively progressed them. My grip and deadlift max went up pretty fast.

[@Ayatollah123]

Thanks

[@sshapiro112]

This is a great video

[@krejn]

I'm big on doing upper back focused rows for a block or two and then doing lat focused rows for a block or two. One day in the 8-10 rep range and the other day in the 12-15 with a deficit or a pause at peak contraction - being almost parallel to the floor is key here.

[@matjusm1]

Awesome video, lots of good ideas here. Would love to see the same but for squats!

[@tommoentommoen3639]

Thanks for the video! Useful information as always! I rotate Rows, RDL, and hip thrust in one of my slots for pull, every 6-8 weeks or so. Helps tremendously.

[@mrsmuuve]

Awesome man :)

[@SuperSilver316]

The line should probably be drawn for barbells rows in that they are probably have a more synergistic carryover to deadlifting because of the need for a strong posterior chain to hold your body stable, while also providing an upper back stimulus, but if you want to just grow your upper back, cable and machine variations are just as valid and have their place. It’s really a spectrum of specificity at the end of the day I would say. That being said, I could try to do more Dumbell Rows or even Seal Rows!

[@bbconrad92]

This is awesome dude. Just started learning deadlift liftin light as hell (so I don’t get jacked up lol) going to start incorporating these into my program.

[@BrianNassar]

Just found your channel, BadAss!!!!

[@koleary1798]

The best movements for me for pushing my conventional up are: -RDL -Weighted decline situps (could sub in any heavy ab work but I like these) -Hip thrust machine (I started doing them mainly just out of curiosity but they really have made it easier to push my hips through at the top). -Safety bar squats

[@hypergalaxyjackv2572]

great video

[@Harry_16710]

Great recommendations...I definitely have to do more RDLs. Any thoughts on weighted pull-ups?

[@mdoyleproductions9358]

Great presentation. For my training (41 ys old), I am a weightlifting hobbiest/enthusiast. It has always been my favorite form of exercise. That said, I have also considered the DL as king of all exercises, since I was in my early 20s. It is the most functional for everyday life movements and can prevent injury when you're lifting a box, or furniture, or your girlfriend. Additionally, it's a total shred for the posterior chain. Thanks to John Meadows' videos and legitimate folks like this video, I have rearranged my back/pull days to work from the upper back to the hams in one session, doing two sessions in a given week (noting recovery, of course). In my older years of lifting, I found that heavy back should be my third or fourth exercise, with the first two or three being "supported" or iso movements for the upper back, lats and hams (I also warm up for 5-10 minutes on a cardio machine that hits these, plus glutes). Heavy movements are then either a DL, RDL, Pendlay, or BB/DB row, finishing the workout with a couple "easier" iso movements for the glutes/hams, like KB swings, bridges, and then hypers or now reverse hypers. I find this gives me enough warm-up to get to those heavy lifts, with enough energy to sustain the rest of the day. Next Pull day, I will do whatever movements I didn't get to do the session before. Example: DL one day, RDLs, the next, sometimes even two smaller sets of two heavy movements. But, I think it is important not to kill your back with a ton of unsupported rows and heavy pulls. This method of pyramiding up and down has worked well for the last year. I lost 50 lbs, several inches around my neck and waist, and became really improved strength and stamina, even in everyday life. I gained a lof "covid era weight" and now that is gone. I love coming across solid videos like this to keep the ideas flowing and learn new approaches, or to reinforce some of the priorities in a program. This material is much better than the sales pitches you see on IG, where every week a new exercise completely snatched someone's waist, or rippled their back, while they use lighting and clothing tricks to convince everyone of their bullshit. Great job explaining the detail here and nice to come across a true pro's instruction.

[@michaels1828]

Need a video like this for bench! My bench is terrible!!!

[@muscularclassrepresentativ5663]

Flies, overhead press, and then pin press followed by skullcrushers, kachow accessories

[@youngwang5546]

Hey Alex, just found your channel and I’m enjoying the content and training tips. Will give the banded back extensions a shot tomorrow. Do you have any guidelines on how much someone should Be able to good morning with around a 500 pound deadlift? I have a pretty long torso and I’ve always found the GM to be really uncomfortable. I love doing RDLs though! Been repping 315 on those, need to grind that a bit higher.

[@zachalbin1328]

Been hitting hammies real hard recently to try to benefit my deadlift. I think I may have fallen into the habit of using rdls as too much of a mind muscle exercise and worrying about keeping 'textbook' form. I've pulled 585 and I don't think I've ever done a set of rdls at over 225.... thanks for the knowledge.

[@juggernautathletics]

Could you do a video like this for the overhead press?

[@shortycareface9678]

Hypers/back extensions are one of my go-to deadlift accessories; I genuinely attribute my smooth lockout to that movement. You got me with the barbell rows, though... I used to hate them, but have been trying to incorporate them lately. Literally did any other type of row just to avoid having to be in that bent over position and holding it for a prolonged time. But I'm getting accustomed to them... hopefully, they'll do something positive for me.

[@AnUnknownPlayer.]

For back extensions, dumbbells and barbells work very well, can take to to super low reps as well, super good movement.

[@greyghost4471]

glad to know i’m doing pretty much all this already, god i wish my gym had a reverse hyper tho i might just have to pull the trigger and get one for the home gym

[@AlexanderBromley]

I don't think it's the magic pill Lou sold it as, but if you have specific trouble getting your erectors/low back to catch up I think it's great. I was skeptical for a lot of years. I recommned getting the Titan economy one; I think I caught it on sale and got it $350 shipped, though that was a few years ago. Its plenty sturdy.

[@Seanbundy1988]

Great video as usual !! Do you think all these are necessary if your doing strongman events weekly..without going overboard and doing too much ? Thanks

[@SilverSlugs16]

There are also just very few things more sickeningly badass than heavy bent rows. I’ve been hitting some conventional deadlift prs near the mid 500s, all pretty smooth and fast. But what really got people’s attention was my 315 x 4 pendlay row pr, minimal body english, beltless. Always funny when people wonder how I don’t have back pain, when they’re watching me do the exercises that are responsible

[@cakeeater2368]

humble brag

[@eskim0brand]

I'm honestly a Row specialist at this point, one year plus plateau on Deadlift at 300lbs and I can hit 255lbs on Rows for reps 💀

[@sejo5057]

@@eskim0brand Bro what!!!??? How you get so strong at rows? Heaviest I've gone was 135lb for 3x10 last week, but my deadlift max is probably around 345(testing next week).

[@eskim0brand]

@sejo5057 Great but not freak genetics for strong lats and a shitload of work. Best thing I'd recommend is to get your lats strong to move the weight and your core and lower back to support it in a static hold. Pullups by volume, then Weighted Pullups, Inverted Rows, solid Benchpress to keep things even in the same plane of movement. I spend a decent amount of time firing up, and maintaining mobility for my rotator cuffs and wrists. I'm 170lbs for some context

[@sleeplessomniman5204]

Definitely gonna try crock rows instead of my cable rows i do on my back day. Great video.

[@AlexanderBromley]

Get ready for sore obliques.

[@jeremiahhempel1975]

For the second section: what do you recommend for isolation movements if you have a home gym?

[@CrazedFandango]

I've only tried RDLs once and did a pathetic weight. I'll start adding these back in with bigger weight. My main assistance has always been stiff leg DLs; GMs were always a squat assistance for me.

[@cakeeater2368]

1 out of every 3 max effort squat days should be a good morning variant, minimum

[@NEWDAISY5648]

Pulls ups are great also

[@reeferfranklin]

I love RDLs & GMs I do GMs on Squat Day & RDLs on Deadlift Day.

[@ReDeV7]

Rubish rows are excellent also , back extensions holding a barbell out in front

[@robertmccormick9729]

I agree with the rows being apart of a good deadlift. I row around 200lbs for 10 reps give or take a rep and how I feel that day. Trying to get to that 1000lb deadlift club 😊

[@endre8202]

Is your Breathing and Bracing book still available somewhere?

[@timwilliams2035]

Looking to find fitness again at 50. Cycling aka bike riding was my thing. So here I am back In the garage working on deadlifts and spinning. The mountain is taller than a remember but I think I can make it.

[@paskokelava2795]

Couldnt agree more What is your opinion on doing DL with totaly straight legs? Given one is flexible enough

[@JLeddy72]

Grate video. Funny enough i've been doing these exact movements in my training, to work my spinal erectors, lower back ect. and i improved deadlift max by 20 kilos in 2 weeks without doing any deadlifting meanwhile.

[@X0rDuS]

What do you think how mich weight is good for good mornings with a straight bar ? I am doing good mornings regularly and serious since a month and already getting benefits of learning how to brace and getting the elbows in the right spot (More in line with the trunk to prevent the bar from rolling) for the squat 🙂

[@BurlyBaboon]

What is your breathing/bracing like for larger bent over row sets

[@tackleberry9386]

Would you add pendlay rows to help a deadlift? Would imagine it would help with the power from the floor

[@jefejeffwell1113]

I have a mental block for deadlifts at the moment. Just hit 585 and pulled a hamstring, and hurt my low back running a marathon. The injury primarily came from a squat mis-spot. One of the guys “helped” me rack the weights after I completed the lift and it tweaked my low back.

[@aleck156]

To make good mornings even better, place safety pins at the rack at the height that would be at the bottom of the movement. When descending, try to lower the bar and rest it there for a 1 second, while maintaining core/spine tensions. Then, explode using your glutes and driving upper back into the bar behind you, toes jammed into the ground.

[@MCFCTheMadHatter]

Would doing Straight-legged RDLs be helpful for deadlifts as well? Perhaps even as a substitute to RDLs if one wanted to really isolate and work on the hamstrings and glutes? Would these be helpful in increasing DLs? Thanks!

[@art_vanderlay1066]

Ever played around with snatch grip RDLs? Would the extra stimulus in the traps carry over more than normal grip RDLs. Great channel man. I think I watch each video at least three times so I can learn it, know it, live it. Lol

[@JJones-nf9ce]

This is what Coach Blaha does. It would be awesome if Alexander and Coach made a collaboration video together!

[@SolRC]

I do nordics instead of hamstring curls, garage work around 🤙

[@robothug6688]

Thats better anyways

[@chemicalbrush7560]

Doing a set of 12 rep rdl when do you breathe and brace again or do you hold your breathe the whole time

[@Peter-tp3hp]

Rows are fucking godly. Big heavy ass barbell rows. strict on the warm up sets, little bit of momentum on the heavy sets. That's how U get strong. Let yo nuts hang out

[@purpleye2608]

Really? Momentum/sway is okay on heavier sets?

[@Peter-tp3hp]

@@purpleye2608 Ed coan promotes the use of momentum. good enough for me

[@benzmane7564]

Anybody have any tips for getting past high hamstring / proximal hamstring tendinopathy?

[@Major.Tom.1973]

Bromley never mentions Meadows rows, but for me they work much better than Kroc rows

[@johnd6744]

What about SLDL’s? R they also good in ur opinion?

[@awallner1]

Would you do all these accessary movements in one training day or in a couple? Because you listed more than 3 exercises?

[@apeleverages]

Stiff legs and rdl’s are life. Ghr and reverse hyper have been a staple for me for about 6-8 months after squats and deads and the difference has been huge. The good girl bad girl machine has been big for me too in helping my hips feel less beat up and helping develop the adductors

[@a-a-rondavis9438]

GVS preaches on this. Abductors and adductors are very good for size and strength of the legs, and they're often overlooked, and instead they'll train quads and hams and call it a day.

[@timothyparker9221]

Would you say RDLs can be swapped for good mornings and vis versa,what about front squats as accessory for deadlift.

[@TheGenace88]

Can I do RDLs with DBs instead of the barbell? I usually do db rdls after my deadlifts usually 45/50lbs dbs for 4x12 then add a 5th rep until failure .

[@GamingGuru1234]

Will these work for improving sumo deadlift too?

[@petersoar2886]

It made me pretty happy when you said a 600lbs deadlifter should be RDLing in the 400s. I recently did a 418lb 3x6 on RDLs nice and deep and haven't hit a max since i was at 350 for 3x8 on RDLs (which granted me a 517 dead at the time). Hoping this increase translates to something even remotely close to 600. Haha!!

[@bryanklabik1500]

I program myself for 4 different lifts - deadlift, bench, squat, and clean and press with at least a day in between. Can I safely program a row variation on all 4 days?

[@joshferguson9703]

It stands to reason if a movement is hard that’s the one you should do

[@SLouiss]

Good mornings have an OP SFR

[@ramblr5900]

@alexander brombley I am stuck at 450 and i weigh 185. Life tim intermediate?