Deadlift technique

**Grunt76** · 11-11-2005, 09:43 PM

After seeing Steve MacD's deadlift video, I'm, well, awed, but also questioning my deadlift technique.

Steve uses a much wider stance than mine. My feet are pointing about straight front while dealifting, and my elbows are touching my knees when lifting the bar.

The bar tends to scrape my shins while lifting.

Will using a wider stance like Steve alleviate this problem?

I truly feel something is lacking in my technique. 7 years ago I was pulling more than today, but was using a belt.

Now I pull 365 for 2 while I can bench BB-style 315 for 2. I think there is something amiss here because I think I would possibly bench as much as I deadlift if I used a PL-style on bench. Moreover, my chest is my weak point...

Now I'm not trying to be a powerlifter - I can't squat because my knees are scrap - but I think deadlifting with better technique and more weight is all the more important to my growth goals because of that.

5'11" 230 lbs, about 18%bf.

Steve? Or anyone else?

geoffsherman · 11-11-2005, 11:48 PM

Funny that you should post this as I just did, literally, 25 sets of dealifts because my form is all off. I would experiment with a wider stance and see if it works for you. I am completey re-doing my lower body routine for the next 6 weeks to go lighter on deadlifts so I can fix my form and heavier on squats since I have really good form on that.

**Peaked_18** · 11-12-2005, 12:15 AM

You can do what Steve did if you want. Watch some videos found in the sticky and learn how some other guy's do Deadlifts and compare them.

Steve MacD · 11-12-2005, 05:13 AM

I evolved my deadlift technique over the years to what it is now. I use the stance that I do because that is the best technique for me to be able to get my hips and lower back in that "powerful" feeling position, I can't really explain the feeling other than it just feels "right". If you do decide to try the wider stance make sure you are careful to take a wide enough grip so that your forearms don't push your knees in, I've tweaked my back before with that mistake.

**Grunt76** · 11-12-2005, 11:36 PM

Thanks Steve. Actually it's interesting you should talk of that "right" feeling, because I use to have that very feeling years ago while deadlifting and now I just can't seem to find it. Hey and that grip of yours... Do a lot of PLers use that?

Allright, I'll try different techniques including yours. I'll report here when I do.

Thanks Peaked_18 for pointing out the videos, I'm sure they'll be VERY useful.

Steve MacD · 11-13-2005, 03:24 AM

You may want to look at your flexibility as the cause of not getting that right feeling. I know if I start lagging on my stretching I find it much harder to get into that starting position. I don't see a whole lot of powerlifters using my technique to be honest, in fact most of them look at me with a raised eyebrow whenever they see me deadlift. What can I say, it works for me.

**powerman2000** · 11-22-2005, 07:03 PM

It really is all about personal technique and what works for each person. We are all put together so differently and with a sport like PL you have to experiment until you find that perfect groove. For example, I can't do a Sumo DL to save my life.

11-12-2005, 05:13 AM	#4
Steve MacD New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 11 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 0	I evolved my deadlift technique over the years to what it is now. I use the stance that I do because that is the best technique for me to be able to get my hips and lower back in that "powerful" feeling position, I can't really explain the feeling other than it just feels "right". If you do decide to try the wider stance make sure you are careful to take a wide enough grip so that your forearms don't push your knees in, I've tweaked my back before with that mistake. __________________ IslandSupplements.com

11-13-2005, 03:24 AM	#6
Steve MacD New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 11 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 0	You may want to look at your flexibility as the cause of not getting that right feeling. I know if I start lagging on my stretching I find it much harder to get into that starting position. I don't see a whole lot of powerlifters using my technique to be honest, in fact most of them look at me with a raised eyebrow whenever they see me deadlift. What can I say, it works for me. __________________ IslandSupplements.com

11-22-2005, 07:03 PM	#7
powerman2000 The Old Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,136 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 200	It really is all about personal technique and what works for each person. We are all put together so differently and with a sport like PL you have to experiment until you find that perfect groove. For example, I can't do a Sumo DL to save my life. __________________ Don't forget to periodize Best BP 507 lbs competitive Best Squat 705 lbs competitive Best DL 650 lbs competitive Guns don't kill people, men who come home early do. My workout log http://www.ironmass.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6247

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11-11-2005, 11:48 PM	#2
geoffsherman Pro Stature Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 194 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 4	Funny that you should post this as I just did, literally, 25 sets of dealifts because my form is all off. I would experiment with a wider stance and see if it works for you. I am completey re-doing my lower body routine for the next 6 weeks to go lighter on deadlifts so I can fix my form and heavier on squats since I have really good form on that.

11-12-2005, 12:15 AM	#3
Peaked_18 a la commode Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,247 Recipes: 2 Rep Power: 96	You can do what Steve did if you want. Watch some videos found in the sticky and learn how some other guy's do Deadlifts and compare them.