I know this is an old post, but I wanted to comment anyway.

I disagree with Moellesch that a 3 times bodyweight deadlift being only for the "elite". I'm by no way close to that elite, yet I'm pretty close to a 3 times bodyweight deadlift. The trick is to be lean and not to big, and to use proper technique.

I also believe that deadlift is very safe, when done properly. Many people overtrain their lower back. It only seems problematic if you are not sufficiently concentrated (it seems that people often injures themselves with low weights because of taking it too easy), or if going too high in reps/reaching muscular fatigue and the form becomes bad.

I also believe that training with training the lower back to a greater range of motion is necessary. Strength gained in a precise range of motion (ROM) only has so much carry over to the rest of the ROM. If you only ever train with a straight back in slight lordosis, whenever you round your back, which is pratically unavoidable, you are in a weak position prone to injuries.

One of my favorite exercise for this is the cable seated row, training the whole back in one exercise.

There is some good info on that link: http://exrx.net/ExInfo/DangerousExercises.html
The guy from that site claims to "perform the straight leg deadlifts working up to 495 lbs with complete spinal flexion with the bar touching the top of my feet. I can personally assure you I have little instability in the lumbar region after years and years of regularly performing this exercise."

Hi Folks.
I think that is difficult without ever lifted heavy stuff in his life to have a deadlift of 2 times bodyweight. i think a guy at 200lbs with do a lot sports but dont do some lifting movements in his life will not lift 400 at his first attempt. i think it good be that some of the very gifted guys can lift only with doing her daily work about 300-330lbs around that i guess. (or less depending on her bodyweight).

my personal opinion is: every man who lifts weight can call himself only a man if he can lift 2 times his bodyweight and i guess for the average is this goal reachable over a shorter or a longer period (depends on his genetics)...

i am not talking from some gymnasts because there is it not uncommon if they are good to lift 2 times bodyweight at the first attempt without ever touch a weight.

someone mentioned 3times bw deadlift above. a few words to that: a 3 times and above deadlift is very very strong ... in my opinion that only managed elite powerlifter and weightlifters ...

Rob

Good point.

I hope you did not mind me using your video as an example there. All those videos on the Crossfit Norcal site are really useful and inspiring - thanks for that resource.

Chris

I think Prof. DeVany's point (please correct if this is wrong) is that the active lifestyle of the average HG created the ability to DO a 2-3x BW DL. I think thats a fairly remarkable observation and we have some examples of phenomenal scandinavian PL'ers who work as lumberjacks and develop amazing posterior chain development from draggin fallen lumber.

The WestSide BarBell crew(arguably some of the best PL'ers in the world) feels that the DL takes more than it gives and thus train accessory movements to prepare for the DL. Simply an interesting observation, take from it what you will.

The DL can certainly pose a risk but I would caution against the handwringing some have exhibited at this "dangerous" lift. The DL was at one time also called the "health lift" and depending upon the object used and loading can be either a world record PL'ing movement or a grandparent picking up a crand child. Sane, reasonable loading and progresssion goes a long way to ensure safety.

How does one train for that sort of symmetry? Art seems to mention doing a lot of unilateral exercises. I've had the thought of doing more reps on my non-dominant side to compensate (ie, 1 or 2 extra on the left). Is it training, or just technique?

Neal W's comment is from way out in left field. Lifting heavy objects properly is done primarily through leg extension not back extension. Lifting heavy objects within a group setting would, of course, mean help from others. Many hands make light work. There is no justification for the risk of deadlifts especially with the heavy weights seen today by people who are driven to excess. The risk/reward of deadlifts makes it a no brainer that this is an exercise to avoid.

Thanks for the reply Art - very helpful

Chris

Art,

A question for you. You note that a 2x bodyweight deadlift is a good indicator of strength. What other metrics would you suggest? That is how many/how heavy of pullups? Bench? Military press? Others?

Thanks.

X

Art,

I have to disagree on your comment about not usually doing anything that resembles deadlifts. Deadlifts are nothing more than the proper and safest way to pick something off the ground. The Amerindians surely would of done deadlifts in the tasks you describe: picking up wood to build structures, and picking up food to carry it. If they didn't, then they picked those things up wrong, and should of done it in a way that resembled deadlifting.

Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)

URL:
Remember me? YesNo

Comments: