Exercise Comparison
Ball Leg Curl vs Romanian Deadlift
Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
Only in Romanian Deadlift
Instructions
Ball Leg Curl
Begin on the floor laying on your back with your feet on top of the ball.
Position the ball so that when your legs are extended your ankles are on top of the ball. This will be your starting position.
Raise your hips off of the ground, keeping your weight on the shoulder blades and your feet.
Flex the knees, pulling the ball as close to you as you can, contracting the hamstrings.
After a brief pause, return to the starting position.
Romanian Deadlift
Put a barbell in front of you on the ground and grab it using a pronated (palms facing down) grip that a little wider than shoulder width. Tip: Depending on the weight used, you may need wrist wraps to perform the exercise and also a raised platform in order to allow for better range of motion.
Bend the knees slightly and keep the shins vertical, hips back and back straight. This will be your starting position.
Keeping your back and arms completely straight at all times, use your hips to lift the bar as you exhale. Tip: The movement should not be fast but steady and under control.
Once you are standing completely straight up, lower the bar by pushing the hips back, only slightly bending the knees, unlike when squatting. Tip: Take a deep breath at the start of the movement and keep your chest up. Hold your breath as you lower and exhale as you complete the movement.
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Verdict
Both exercises target the hamstrings. Ball Leg Curl is a beginner exercise using exercise ball, while Romanian Deadlift is intermediate and uses barbell. Choose Ball Leg Curl if you're looking for a more accessible option, or Romanian Deadlift for a greater challenge. Romanian Deadlift is a compound movement working multiple joints, making it better for overall strength. Ball Leg Curl isolates the target muscle for focused development.