As the owner and head coach of AUM Training Center – a private gym in Boston located in the heart of Newbury Street – my mission is to help adults 40+ train smarter, stay strong, and live pain-free. But even as a seasoned Boston personal trainer, life can throw curveballs. Last year, I was hit by a drunk driver in a violent car crash. Since then, I’ve been dealing with disc issues and chronic lower-back pain.

Traditional barbell deadlifts, once a staple of my own training, quickly became uncomfortable and unsustainable. So I needed a better way to train my posterior chain without aggravating my back. That’s when I discovered the the Single-Leg Romanian Deadlift (SLRDL).

This exercise became a game-changing alternative for my recovery, as it prioritizes longevity, balance, and joint-friendly strength. After all it did for me, I’m happy to introduce it to any clients in need of personal training in Boston

As I adapted my programming at our Boston fitness studio, I discovered that the SLRDL provides all the benefits of a deadlift with significantly less spinal stress – especially important for those working towards achieving fitness over 40 and for clients with a history of back pain. Here’s why this movement has become indispensable in our approach to longevity fitness:

1. It’s Far More Back-Friendly

The SLRDL reduces spinal compression and shear while still training the glutes, hamstrings, and hip stabilizers. For anyone dealing with disc issues or past injuries, it’s one of the safest hinge variations.

2. It Strengthens the Entire Posterior Chain

Despite using lighter loads than a barbell deadlift, the SLRDL targets:

• Glutes
• Hamstrings
• Adductors
• Core stabilizers
• Foot and ankle control

It’s a high-return exercise with significantly lower risk – ideal for clients training at our private gym in Boston.

3. It Builds Balance and Corrects Asymmetries

As a unilateral movement, it helps address the left-right imbalances that often worsen with age.

For our clients seeking personal training in Boston’s Back Bay, this is a cornerstone of long-term strength.

4. It’s Perfect for Fitness Over 40

Many people over 40 find bilateral heavy lifting hard on the joints, especially the low back.

The SLRDL provides all the strength benefits with a fraction of the load.

For those searching for Boston personal training that prioritizes longevity, mobility, and pain-free strength, this exercise is a staple.

In our YouTube video, I break down the exact technique, but here’s a simple guide:

1. Stand tall with a dumbbell or kettlebell in one hand.
2. Shift your weight into your standing leg.
3. Hinge at the hips as the opposite leg extends back.
4. Keep a long spine and controlled movement.
5. Pull through your glute and hamstring to return to standing.

This controlled hinge pattern creates tremendous muscular tension without requiring heavy weights.

Check out or video demonstration on how to correctly preform SLRDL

We work with a large population of busy professionals, executives, parents, and high-performers coming to our Boston fitness studio on Newbury St. They want strength, longevity, resilience, and the ability to move well without pain. The SLRDL is one of the best exercises for:

• Improving balance and mobility
• Reducing back pain
• Building functional lower-body strength
• Enhancing athleticism into your 40s, 50s, and beyond

It’s why our approach to personal training on Newbury St. is rooted in movement IQ, joint-friendly strength, and smart programming – not just lifting heavier for the sake of it.

AUM Training Center was built as a private gym in Boston with a simple mission: Help adults redefine their prime through personalized, longevity-driven strength training. Our team specializes in:

• Fitness over 40
• Corrective exercise
• Strength training for long-term joint health
• Mobility and movement quality
• Sustainable habit-building
• Personalized training based on biomechanics and lifestyle

Exercises like the SLRDL allow us to deliver high-level results safely and effectively. This is the foundation of the most trusted Boston personal training experience for people who want expert coaching without the overcrowded commercial gym environment.