Deadlifts, good, bad, or ugly?

[Chris Correia]

It certainly can offer lots of benefit. I wasn't doing any for a while, but have recently begun rotating it in on a regular basis.

[PowerManDL]

Originally Posted by Mahler

PMDL, while not essential by your standards, and I agree nothing is truly essential, it has been for me a life changing exercise. I have never made as many gains in strength and body composition as I have done since starting deadlifts.

Hey don't get me wrong, I like it too. Where do you think the DL at the end of my name came from? It's my favorite exercise by far.

Just that I realize I can't let my personal preferences skew my thought processes when it comes to prescribing exercises for others.

While I do love the lift and realize the benefits it has, I also realize that it's short-sighted on my part to think that it applies to everyone universally, no matter what.

It'll be in any program I use, personally, one way or another. But that doesn't mean I can't envision scenarios where it would be grossly scaled back, or even absent. It's more about the concern for individual needs, not DEADLIFT HELL YEAH!

[eastcoastsurfer]

I think some form of DLs are crucial for any training program. This doesn't mean grandma needs to be doing 400lb singles off the floor, but teaching her to DL properly will help her learn to also pick up other things off the ground properly (Like Julie said above).

[Lost Dog]

I have no actual (read "good") reason to lift singles (but, I do). I can now hit 405, but sometimes I wonder why I keep going for more.

I can probably get all I need from doubles or triples and have less risk to my back. Especially when I don't have someone there to watch my form.

[Irishdazza]

Hmm...have no answers...but a few questions.

Injured myself on my first attempt at rack pulls..my fault - straight in at top weight...wrong equipment..you know...basic stupidity.

Have had no bad experience from proper deadlifts...never tried sumo...will probably give it a go now I can lift again. Deadlifts are the best ever exercise!

Devil's Advocate? What about the youtube of Ross Enmait's first deadlift?

[eastcoastsurfer]

I'll add some more fuel to the fire. I was at physical therapy yesterday and mentioned how I missed dead lifting. One of the head PT guys chimes in that there is no reason for me to ever DL. He was busy working with a patient and I was busy doing therapy so I didn't have time to quiz him on why. When I see him next week it'll be the first question I ask

[PowerManDL]

People that say you should "never" do an exercise are just as obnoxious as the people that say you "must" do an exercise.

[Lost Dog]

Originally Posted by Irishdazza

Devil's Advocate? What about the youtube of Ross Enmait's first deadlift?

What do you mean about the Devil's Advocate part?

That wasn't his first deadlift. He just says he doesn't train on the deadlift. He has done them before.

[BjsAust]

I've gotta be confused about whats so hard with getting deadlift form right. Maybe I'm just doing it wrong, but other than keeping a neutral arch in your back, whats the confusing part?

[Frank.S]

Originally Posted by Lost Dog

I have no actual (read "good") reason to lift singles (but, I do). I can now hit 405, but sometimes I wonder why I keep going for more.

I can probably get all I need from doubles or triples and have less risk to my back. Especially when I don't have someone there to watch my form.

I would bet that for alot of people form is better on a heavy single then a heavy 3 rep.. Thats a good reason for singles. I know what I do reps with the deadlift, my form goes pretty shitty.

[Frank.S]

Originally Posted by BjsAust

I've gotta be confused about whats so hard with getting deadlift form right. Maybe I'm just doing it wrong, but other than keeping a neutral arch in your back, whats the confusing part?

Some people do lack the flexibility to get down to the bar correctly. I know I used to, so I just pulled with my hips really high (Almost a SLDL). This is not necessarily bad if your back is kept arched (mine wasn't really) but the lift will then have different benefits.

[Lost Dog]

Originally Posted by Frank.S

I would bet that for alot of people form is better on a heavy single then a heavy 3 rep.. Thats a good reason for singles. I know what I do reps with the deadlift, my form goes pretty shitty.

You're right. I guess I should differentiate between singles and max attempts.

I think my form on my singles (at 90-95%) is just fine. So, I agree with you. Especially since the third rep of a triple is probably pretty close to your 3RM after a set or two.

[Irishdazza]

Originally Posted by Lost Dog

What do you mean about the Devil's Advocate part?

That wasn't his first deadlift. He just says he doesn't train on the deadlift. He has done them before.

mY BAD ON MY TERMINOLOGY...

But he'd never focused on them. and never maxed...his ability was due to ancillary work - not deadlifting per se.

Don't get me wrong - I love the deadlift, but he got those results without practicing it. Thoughts?

[Lost Dog]

Originally Posted by Irishdazza

But he'd never focused on them. and never maxed...his ability was due to ancillary work - not deadlifting per se.

Don't get me wrong - I love the deadlift, but he got those results without practicing it. Thoughts?

Gotcha.

I'd be curious to know what actual heavy lifting he does, even periodically. It sounds like he doesn't do any barbell squats, either.

He does heavy sandbag squatting and deadlifting. Heavy sandbags certainly aren't 400+ lbs, though.

He does weighted one legged exercises, too. Weighted pistols will certainly increase your strength a lot.

Have you seen his GHRs with several weighted vests? That's some serious PC strength, right there.

He certainly does a lot of explosive lifts, like cleans and snatches.

There's always the chance that he's naturally very strong. There are a few people here who deadlifted 300+ lbs on their first day, having never touched a weight before (Not me! That's for sure.).

So, you can obviously get very strong without barbell deadlifting or squatting. Think how strong his barbell deadlift would be if he actually did it regularly.

I'm not sure that you could offer that his way is safer for the back, either. Explosive sandbag shouldering of 150lbs seems risky, too. Especially if you're doing reps and start getting tired.

Multiple ways to get strong, buff, or hurt. I think you need to take some educated risks, one way or the other, if you want to get really strong.

[Frank.S]

Originally Posted by Irishdazza

Don't get me wrong - I love the deadlift, but he got those results without practicing it. Thoughts?

There are 100s of people that follow the basic westside template and only deadlift a handful of times per year (usually in a contest) yet are pulling 700, 800+.

There are alot of different ways you can reach the same goal.

[PowerManDL]

Once you get to a certain level of strength, training the lift directly can be somewhat counterproductive.

Not always, but if you're not a natural deadlifter, probably sooner than later.