Which one of those bodyparts are deadlifts mainly for?

both. Are you trying to fit them into a body part split?

Mainly? That's hard to say. I think it works your legs and lower back equally. Not to mention your grip, arms, shoulders to a lesser degree.

I'll be curious to see what some pros say about this.

Jus wondering whether ppl have straight legs when doing deadlifts or do you have a slight bend in the knees?

I'd say they are mostly for lower back, upper back, quads, hamstrings, calves, abs, glutes, delts, forearms, traps and a little bicep for good measure

Traditional deads are performed with bent legs, then standing into a straight position as the weight is raised. There are also stiff legged deads which I believe are intended to put more emphasis on hamstring contraction

traditional deadlifts (lifting from the floor) is a great lower body, compound exercise. Legs and lower back on this exercise. If you were doing straight-leg deadlifts or Romanian deadlifts, they incorporate more hamstrings, glutes and lower back.

what deadlift you use has more to do with what you want it to do than what muscles they target. I think I remember reading that the hams were more active during a conventional than romanian deadlift.
So think of it more as what you want in terms of movement than in "what muscles it hits more"

I keep my legs straight but do not lock my knees. It works the same muscles but puts less stress on the knees.


I used to do traditional or still leg dead lifts with my leg workouts and sumo deadlifts with back. You will feel them throughout your back and traps. They should work well with my new full body workouts