Need something to replace deadlifts for now

[ksk11214]

Hi. I am unable to do deadlifts. I cant bend and I ant keep my heels flat against the ground. I have a similar problem with Squats but standing on 10 lb weights enable me to do squats some what. What can I use for now as a replacement for deadlifts? I have a foam roller and will be using that to try to give my legs mobility. Thanks.

[Mandos]

I'm trying to picture this exactly--you mean you can't get your butt down low enough, while your heels are on the floor, to grab the bar?

This may be a torso/arms/legs proportion thing, but I can get a bar from the same height I go down to on a squat, but whatever. As I hear you, you can't use the same strategy of putting your heels on a support and pick up the bar.

Since you can't low enough to get the bar, bring the bar up to you. Try doing rack pulls in a squat rack, where you lay the bar's on the lowest pin sets and pull it from there. You will miss the absolute bottom of the lift, but it is better than nothing. You will still, within your personal body functionality, be lifting up something heavy--that's what DL's are a training proxy for.

[Cynic]

I agree with Mandos, do rack pulls.

However, start an aggressive regimen of SMR and stretching. Get tennis balls also, for the calves.

[Lisa~]

Agreed. Rack pulls and work on that mobility problem. Prying!