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And for good reason: Deadlifts are one of the foundational strength-training exercises.

Some people even call them the king of all exercises.

But what muscles do deadlifts work?

woman sweating in the gym

Loyola Marymount University associate professor of health and human sciences and certified strength and conditioning specialist

Yeah, theyre no joke.

What muscles do deadlifts work?

But your lower body isnt all thats involved.

Woman walking on a treadmill at the gym.

Though those hammies, glutes, and quads will get worked no matter what.

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Full body female athlete in sportswear using rowing machine during fitness workout in gym.

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This can put a lot of stress on the lower back, she says.

Read: Dont let your upper body become parallel to the ground.

Happy woman dancing and listening to music near a green empty wall outdoor in the city.

Loyola Marymount University associate professor of health and human sciences and certified strength and conditioning specialist

Again, this can stress the back unnecessarily.

The fix: Focus on keeping those shoulders reaching back throughout the movement to help maintain a neutral spine.

Weight belts can lessen the training the abdominals do during the movements, so only use them when necessary.

Healthy female training in the gym, performing a hip thrust.

How do deadlifts change your body?

Deadlifts are a great way to strengthen your lower body and core, says Dr. Roper.

Doing them regularly can help you better perform everyday activities.

A young black woman doing post-run stretches in the park on the road amidst green grass and trees.

What is the best way to add deadlifts into your workout routine?

The ideal volume and load for your deadlift workout will vary based on your goals.

Heres what Dr. Roper recommends:

What are the best deadlift variations?

She also suggests tryingtrap bar deadlifts, particularly if youre a beginner looking fordeadlift alternatives.

It also allows you to work the quadriceps a bit more than conventional deadlifts.

Also, dont overlook thesumo deadlift.

And if youre brand new to deadlifts?

Once you get comfortable and build that base strength, the world of deadlifts is your oyster.

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