LiftSets / Exercises / Barbell Deadlift
Barbell Deadlift
Works the lower back. Helped by the calves, forearms, glutes, hamstrings, lats, middle back, quadriceps and traps.


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
| Goal | Reps per set |
|---|---|
| Strength | 3-6 |
| Muscle size | 6-10 |
| Endurance | 12-20+ |
Whatever the number, the set should end within a rep or two of the point where you could not do another with good form.
| Kit | Barbell |
|---|---|
| Level | Intermediate |
What to think about
- Bar over the middle of the foot, shins to the bar.
- Flat back, chest up, take the slack out before it leaves the floor.
- Push the floor away, bar stays against the legs.
- Stand tall at the top, no leaning back.
How to do it
- Stand in front of a loaded barbell.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Perform the amount of repetitions prescribed in the program.
Other exercises for the lower back
- Deadlift with Bands
- Deadlift with Chains
- Deficit Deadlift
- Hyperextensions (Back Extensions)
- Rack Pull with Bands
- Rack Pulls
- Reverse Band Deadlift
- Stiff Leg Barbell Good Morning
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