I first did a deadlift maybe 7 years ago, at about the age of 35, as part of some physical therapy following a hamstring injury. I learned I really enjoyed that. Prior to that point in my life I had never lifted serious weights, but had done a lot of circuit training type stuff with light weights.

I lifted pretty regularly for the next few years, mostly just doing compound lifts... OHP, bench press, back squat, and deadlift, a few times a week. Back around covid time I set a goal of 2-3-4-5 plates for the four listed lifts and after a lot of work I hit all 4 goals.

I kept pushing on the deadlift and eventually worked up to singles at 530lbs in 2022, but then had a severe ankle sprain and torn ligaments. This injury is still causing issues but I've gotten back to the weights and decided to set a new goal: 6 plate (per side) deadlift by the end of the year.

So, that is my goal for no other reason, really, than general health and enjoyment of the lift. Back in late April I used Grok to build a program to try and hit the goal and initially it told me to be reasonable and set a lower goal, but after I gave it context of prior 530lb lifts it changed it's tune and decided my goal was possible, and I'm a month into the program, trying to get back to where I was pre-injury. Just before starting the AI program I managed a single rep at 455 but could not lock out the following at 475... so I've got a long way to go but I hope to get there!

Anybody else love the deadlift?

It was the toughest lift, for me, mentally back in the dawn of time.

I will say that if you aren’t competing, try lifting in a trap bar (those diamond shaped ones.).

They tend to keep form more correct.

My favorite lift was stones, but it was also one of the ones I was better at.

Anatoly does!

quote:

Originally posted by Aglifter:
It was the toughest lift, for me, mentally back in the dawn of time.

I will say that if you aren’t competing, try lifting in a trap bar (those diamond shaped ones.).

They tend to keep form more correct.

My favorite lift was stones, but it was also one of the ones I was better at.

I've tried a couple different trap bars, haven't really liked any of the ones I've used... typically I don't care for the spacing on the handles.

Never done stone lifting, it looks hard! Lots of technique to learn in that, I suspect.

quote:

Originally posted by IntrepidTraveler:
Anatoly does!

"Hold mop please."

If you know a welder/can find a real shop/structural shop, a getting a custom trap bar is pretty easy.

Strongman stuff was almost all custom made, back in the before time.

In theory, some heavy plate loading dumbbells would be similar, but due to torque most folks cannot lift as much, in that fashion.

Stones are…. Well, yes. My right knee doesn’t have all of its pieces from an error with a stone. An earlier mistake almost cost me my left ear. (I was an idiot.)

The technique which can be taught is simple. The execution is complicated.

Stones, and C&J, and probably the two hariest lifts to go for PMs on. Errors on either can, rapidly cause catastrophic failure.

I recall an interview with Robert Oberst (Worlds Strongest Man competitor) about risk vs. reward on deadlifts. Interesting commentary.

https://www.reddit.com/r/cross...ft_strongman_robert/

quote:

Originally posted by dsiets:
"Hold mop please."

Why do you use fake weights? These are plastic...

My nephew just did 495. He is only 20 so he’s not even in his prime yet.

With respect to the trap bar......nah. I'll let Rip explain it

Keep it up man! Nothing, and I mean nothing builds strength like squats to depth and proper deadlifts.

Who is the YouTube “guru”?

I was a D1 power lifter, then a national level strongman competitor, admittedly long long ago.

If he thinks trap bars are too unstable he should heavy barbells. Trap bars have far less whip.

There is nothing wrong with the trap bar for dead lifts. I got into weight training late in life 2 years ago at age 71, now 73.

It is another tool in the gym. I can't do a barbell dead lift properly due to lack of mobility in my lower back due to arthritis and I can do nothing about that. I can do a trap bar dead lift and the higher neutral grip handles are very helpful too in regards to those of us that may have less than perfect wrists and shoulders.

REP makes a great Open Trap Bar.. It has options for various grips as well. Do some research and find out which options are good for you.

https://repfitness.com/product...riant=42225129423006

quote:

Originally posted by Aglifter:
Who is the YouTube “guru”?

I was a D1 power lifter, then a national level strongman competitor, admittedly long long ago.

If he thinks trap bars are too unstable he should heavy barbells. Trap bars have far less whip.

I feel like the whip helps. At my work gym we have a Rogue Deadlift bar. It’s longer, thinner, and a different grade steel so it bends more readily. I find it easier to get heavier weights moving with that bar compared to the normal bars at the commercial gym.

You can also look into the Wendler 5-3-1 program. It’ll add 10# to your deadlift every month on the month. Same with squats.

I do love a good deadlift and squat. We’re always my favorite two lifts.

I, accidentally, loaded my deadlift on an O bar, once.

That was a whole new level of whip. .

The bend in the bar will make it able to get slightly higher/make it a little easier to accelerate, but DL isn’t like the O lifts or a squat where the bar can be used like a spring.

But, it does wiggle around during lock out - maybe it was just a personal thing.

His “instability” thing about a trap bar just seems odd - but, I never went over 600 with one/I was already doing strongman and used to doing farmers walks at that point.

Outside of competition, I’m not sure there’s a reason to do both squats and trap bar deadlifts/conventional deadlifts, but I think the trap bar is safer than a squat/certainly easier to teach.

(I could see a benefit in lifting sumo style, in addition to the others, maybe.)

quote:

Originally posted by myrottiety:
You can also look into the Wendler 5-3-1 program. It’ll add 10# to your deadlift every month on the month. Same with squats.

I do love a good deadlift and squat. We’re always my favorite two lifts.

The program that Grok came up with seems based on the Wendler 5-3-1 program.

Took last week off due to family camping trip but hit the ground running on Monday this week, diving right into the heavy deadlift day for the week.

After my treadmill time I found that the deadlift platform at the gym was tied up and didn't look to be clearing soon, so I changed order and started with the weighted Glute Bridges. I didn't think starting would those would affect my performance much when I got the deads and the rack pulls, but boy it sure did.

The main deads (ending with 3 reps at 405) and the rack pulls (3x3 @ 455) were very very, much harder than 2 weeks ago when I lifted the same weights for the same reps and sets. I failed out on the last set of rack pulls.

Happily, I got very sore over the next 48 hours in the uper hams, glutes, and traps. Good news as the lockout has always been my weak point during a deadlift, so this was welcome.

Time marches on! Tomorrow I hit the deficit deads, back rows, farmer carries, more glute bridges, planks, and SL-RDLs.

I love deadlifts! Never got 600 before I stopped competing. But I got close. And I plan to get it someday.

I can only really pull heavy once every 2 weeks. I have to prioritize recovery on deadlift more than anything else. Always have.