Feeling deadlifts in quads

[LaraT]

Prior to NROLW I did Romanian DL's which I distinctively feel in my hamstrings/glutes and lower back. But now with the CDL I am feeling a lot of work in my quads and have a feeling I am doing them wrong. I have watched all the videos posted here and think I "get it" but when I do it I feel like I am squatting more on the descent and somehow just feel I am not "getting it". I also have bruises on my knees from the bar hitting them.

I am not working with a trainer now but I guess I could ask one at the gym to watch my form (although from the workouts I see them doing with clients not sure if they would even know what a CDL is!) Right now I am only up to using a 40 lb fixed BB now and put a few plates under the ends to raise it up a bit as suggested here but I still feel like the lowering part is off. any suggestions?

[LisaS]

in my opinion (and I'm not Lisa~ don't be confused) - the important technique part of the DL is in the lift not the lowering. That said - if you don't like how you are lowering, try a queue from the RDL - like "butt back" and see if that changes it in a way that helps you.

[missjane]

Lisa took the words out of my mouth! And, I'm not an expert, but it sounds like maybe your butt is too low and you are in more of a squat position, rather than the deadlift position. There's a great picture floating around here from Rippetoe's book. I'll try to find it.

[missjane]

Found it! (Thanks Lisa~!) You should look like the third picture for your DL's.

[Natalia]

Originally Posted by LaraT

I also have bruises on my knees from the bar hitting them.

like this?




I got long legs and sometimes have trouble clearing the knees when lowering the heavier weight. I'm going to go back to a lower weight.

[jvernacchio]

Read all three parts ignore the rest of the website!

TESTOSTERONE NATION

[LaraT]

LOL yes bruises like that!

When looking at that picture from the book cover I would say my starting position is just like in that third pic but not when I have lowered it to the ground. Where do you feel the brunt of the weight when lifting the weight?

[Lisa~]

I'm just going to point you back to these two threads where deadlifting was covered in depth:

Deadlifts - form?

Julie, Cass, and Tracey deadlifting: CT workout - This Sunday

[rixatrix]

I have this book, and it's infinitely useful to flip through and see which muscles are effected by which exercises. You probably already know the major ones, such as hamstrings in deadlifts, but in true deadlifts (not stiff legged or sumo), many more muscles are used. If you get a chance to browse the book in a store, check out page 83, and you'll see that deadlifts work most of your back, your hamstrings, your glutes AND your quads. Watching the video above, it makes since that conventional deadlifts would work your quads more, since you're bending your knees more. Anyway, double check your form of course, but realize that the deadlift is nearly a total-body exercise.

[pursuingpurls]

Originally Posted by Lisa~

I'm just going to point you back to these two threads where deadlifting was covered in depth:

Deadlifts - form?

Julie, Cass, and Tracey deadlifting: CT workout - This Sunday

The videos you posted on the first thread were extremely helpful for me - thanks!!