LiftSets

LiftSets / Exercises / Barbell Deadlift

Barbell Deadlift

Works the lower back. Helped by the calves, forearms, glutes, hamstrings, lats, middle back, quadriceps and traps.

Barbell Deadlift, start position, with the working muscles highlighted
Start
Barbell Deadlift, finish position, with the working muscles highlighted
Finish

Bright blue is the target muscle. Darker blue is helping. The app shows this as a moving demo.

Muscles worked

lower backcalvesforearmsgluteshamstringslatsmiddle backquadricepstraps

How many reps

GoalReps per set
Strength3-6
Muscle size6-10
Endurance12-20+

Whatever the number, the set should end within a rep or two of the point where you could not do another with good form.

KitBarbell
LevelIntermediate

What to think about

How to do it

  1. Stand in front of a loaded barbell.
  2. While keeping the back as straight as possible, bend your knees, bend forward and grasp the bar using a medium (shoulder width) overhand grip. This will be the starting position of the exercise. Tip: If it is difficult to hold on to the bar with this grip, alternate your grip or use wrist straps.
  3. While holding the bar, start the lift by pushing with your legs while simultaneously getting your torso to the upright position as you breathe out. In the upright position, stick your chest out and contract the back by bringing the shoulder blades back. Think of how the soldiers in the military look when they are in standing in attention.
  4. Go back to the starting position by bending at the knees while simultaneously leaning the torso forward at the waist while keeping the back straight. When the weights on the bar touch the floor you are back at the starting position and ready to perform another repetition.
  5. Perform the amount of repetitions prescribed in the program.

Other exercises for the lower back

Track it in LiftSets

Log Barbell Deadlift with last time's numbers in front of you, a rest timer on your lock screen and a graph of your progress.

Coming soon to the App Store