The main area this variation is designed to train.
Wide Stance Stiff Legs
Learn how to do the Wide Stance Stiff Legs exercise, which muscles it works, the equipment you need, and common mistakes to avoid.
Use this to decide whether the movement fits your current setup.
A quick checkpoint for how simple or technical the movement usually feels.
Legs
Secondary support can come from Glutes, Back.
Olympic weightlifting
Movement pattern: general. This is a compound exercise.
Learning and repeating well
Use this page to understand the setup first, then track the movement consistently in Logbook once it fits your program.
How to do Wide Stance Stiff Legs
Keep the setup simple, use a controlled pace, and repeat the same movement pattern each rep.
- Begin with a barbell loaded on the floor. Adopt a wide stance, and then bend at the hips to grab the bar. Your hips should be as far back as possible, and your legs nearly straight. Keep your back straight, and your head and chest up. This will be your starting position.
- Begin the movement be engaging the hips, driving them forward as you allow the arms to hang straight. Continue until you are standing straight up, and then slowly return the weight to the starting position. For successive reps, the weight need not touch the floor.
Benefits
- Builds strength and control through the legs region.
- Trains multiple joints at once, which can make your sessions more efficient.
- Gives you a repeatable way to track progress inside Logbook over time.
Common mistakes
- Using more weight or speed than you can control cleanly.
- Cutting the range of motion short and rushing through the reps.
- Changing your body position between reps instead of keeping the movement repeatable.
Workout templates that use this exercise.
If you want to see this movement inside a more complete training session, start here.
3-Day Full Body Split
A three-day split that spreads total weekly work across three full-body sessions.
View workout4-Day Upper Lower Split
A simple four-day split that gives each half of the body two quality sessions each week.
View workout5-Day Bodybuilding Split
A traditional five-day bodybuilding split for lifters who enjoy focusing on one or two regions per session.
View workoutBeginner Strength Program
A simple strength-first plan that keeps the exercise menu small enough to progress consistently.
View workoutMore exercises in the same lane.
Use these when you want a similar movement pattern, a different setup, or more exercise options for the same target area.
Barbell Full Squat
Barbell Full Squat is a intermediate strength that mainly trains your legs using barbell.
View exerciseBarbell Lunge
Barbell Lunge is a intermediate strength that mainly trains your legs using barbell.
View exerciseBarbell Step Ups
Barbell Step Ups is a intermediate strength that mainly trains your legs using barbell.
View exerciseBox Squat
Box Squat is a intermediate powerlifting that mainly trains your legs using barbell.
View exerciseCommon questions about Wide Stance Stiff Legs.
Use these answers as a practical starting point, then adjust based on your setup, comfort, and goals.
What muscles does Wide Stance Stiff Legs work?
Wide Stance Stiff Legs mainly works the legs. It can also involve glutes, back depending on your setup and range of motion.
Is Wide Stance Stiff Legs beginner-friendly?
It is listed as intermediate, so newer lifters may want to start lighter or use a simpler variation first.
What equipment do I need for Wide Stance Stiff Legs?
You will usually need Barbell for this variation.
How should I progress Wide Stance Stiff Legs?
Start by making the reps smoother and more repeatable. Once the whole set looks controlled, add a small amount of load or one extra rep at a time.
Track this exercise for free in Logbook.
Once the movement is in your plan, use Logbook to record sets, reps, load, and progress without guessing what happened last week.
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