Deadlifts - the most misunderstood exercise?

[thebigoz]

If I had to pick one exercise that is so commonly misunderstood, I would have to pick deads.

It's amazing the amount of 'bodybuilders' and 'personal trainers' that have so many misconceptions about this exercise.

I have heard so many explanations about what deads actually target, it would make your head spin. From personal trainers trying to tell me that it won't target my lower back at all. and that it's purely a hammy exercise, to people confusing them with straight-legs deads - not knowing that multiple forms of deads exist.


I wonder though.... I see VERY FEW people doing deads whenever/wherever I train. I was an early adopter of deads when I first got into training and I am so thankful I made that move early on.

For the ridiculous benefits that it provides and the extreme - almost ALL body - workout that it gives you, I find it amazing that it isn't a part of absolutely EVERYONE's routine. I guess that can be put down to the amount of weekend warriors out there.



I'd be interested to hear what other tales people have been spun about deads over the years.

 

[djeclipse]

ya, every time I deadlift at any gym I always get people in awe as soon as that third plate goes on the bar, and even more in awe when that 4th plate goes on. Imagine what they would do if they saw someone actually lift real weight...

People never deadlift and if they do 2 plates a side is heavy, even if they are a 260lb guy. When I start a new gym I always have people come over and say "doesn't that hurt your lower back". Or they will ask me what the deadift works, and never believe me when I say everything, including Bies, traps, entire back.

Every once in a while some young guy will listen to what I say and start deadlifting himself.

The reason people don't deadlift or when they do deadlift it's not heavy at all, is the same reason people don't squat (or do a full ATG squat), it's hard fucking work! People are lazy, they only want the "burn" when they do curls or other gay shit. They don't want to do any real lifting because it is 10x as hard as doing 50 sets of curls and calling it a good work out.

This is one of the reason we ahve so many bad information about squats and deadlift being harmful, personal trainers teaching half assed squats calling it good form. These lazy people that don't want to do the work spread these rumors about how bad the lifts are for you so that have an excuse not to do them. An entire billion dollar industry has been made off of these peoples laziness. All the hammer strength machines, the cable machines, all the machines that try and mimic free weight exercised, but allow you to sit on your ass because people are too lazy to do the real thing.

There's that point when the deads and squats get so heavy that you truly feel like there is no way it is going up, and you're going to collapse. most people will stop way before that and never really lift heavy. Squats and deads are what separate the men from the boys.... and then there is strongman training, lol

 

[hwydopehound]

DJ, I believe you are correct in assuming very few people want to lift HEAVY weight. Even Ronnie Coleman said everyone wants to get big but no one wants to lift heavy ass weight. However, to a select few of us there is a special feeling that comes with feeling EVERY fiber in your body strain as you do a deadlift(especially something like a 3 rep max!) and that feeling is what separates us from the rest.

I don't lift for show, but I was in the gym one time warming up w/ 225 on deads and the guys were gawking and looking, telling the girls how unsafe I was. The best part about it was when I did a zercher deadlift w/ 225lbs!! You want to make someone pass out from stress, do a zercher deadlift!!!

 

[joe d]

squats, deads, bench, an dips are where its at. i also see and hear the dumbest things about them in the gyms.

 

[SouthernLord]

ya, every time I deadlift at any gym I always get people in awe as soon as that third plate goes on the bar, and even more in awe when that 4th plate goes on. Imagine what they would do if they saw someone actually lift real weight...

People never deadlift and if they do 2 plates a side is heavy, even if they are a 260lb guy. When I start a new gym I always have people come over and say "doesn't that hurt your lower back". Or they will ask me what the deadift works, and never believe me when I say everything, including Bies, traps, entire back.

Every once in a while some young guy will listen to what I say and start deadlifting himself.

The reason people don't deadlift or when they do deadlift it's not heavy at all, is the same reason people don't squat (or do a full ATG squat), it's hard fucking work! People are lazy, they only want the "burn" when they do curls or other gay shit. They don't want to do any real lifting because it is 10x as hard as doing 50 sets of curls and calling it a good work out.

This is one of the reason we ahve so many bad information about squats and deadlift being harmful, personal trainers teaching half assed squats calling it good form. These lazy people that don't want to do the work spread these rumors about how bad the lifts are for you so that have an excuse not to do them. An entire billion dollar industry has been made off of these peoples laziness. All the hammer strength machines, the cable machines, all the machines that try and mimic free weight exercised, but allow you to sit on your ass because people are too lazy to do the real thing.

There's that point when the deads and squats get so heavy that you truly feel like there is no way it is going up, and you're going to collapse. most people will stop way before that and never really lift heavy. Squats and deads are what separate the men from the boys.... and then there is strongman training, lol

Jim Wendler on deadlifts.....

"If you were to put me on a deserted island and allowed me to do one exercise, I would pick the deadlift. Also, since I suck at the deadlift no one would see how bad I was at it. No other lift works more muscles than the deadlift. The irony is that few people do this lift and when they do, it’s “for reps” or for “form work” so they don‘t hurt their back. These terms are code for “pussy”. Yes, I did just say that, but let’s be honest and call a spade a spade. So you must pull and you must pull heavy"

I love the bold part and your post remained me of this DJ. Here's the article/thread this came from....

http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/w...-lifting/how-do-i-develop-my-yoke-617916.html

 

[djeclipse]

, it’s “for reps” or for “form work” so they don‘t hurt their back. These terms are code for “pussy”. Yes, I did just say that, but let’s be honest and call a spade a spade... heavy[/B]"

Nice! he seems like my kind of guy, no beating around the bush, no sugar coating things, call a spade a spade. Code for "pussy", I love it!

http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/w...-lifting/how-do-i-develop-my-yoke-617916.html

Thanks for the link, I'll have to read it soon, that is if I am not banned for calling a spade a spade

 

[thebigoz]

I agree, DJ. It's funny, because I get so much more satisfaction out of lifting a big weight for 3-4 reps than hammering out 10-12 reps of something lighter.

Even if you're doing a 1-rep or 2-rep max, just pushing through that rep gets me so pumped up. For me, that's the best way to go up in weight. If you don't get a feel for that weight, even for 1-2 reps, then you can get caught off guard when trying for a new max.


I love that quote from Jim Wendler. Pure gold.

 

[dabuffguy]

I heard guys whispering behind my back saying "That guy is stupid. He thinks that pulling as much weight of the floor as he can is gonna get him huge."

I just smiled and kept going.

The funny thing is, I am way bigger than they are already.


People really make me laugh.

 

[the_alcatraz]

I heard guys whispering behind my back saying "That guy is stupid. He thinks that pulling as much weight of the floor as he can is gonna get him huge."

I just smiled and kept going.

The funny thing is, I am way bigger than they are already.


People really make me laugh.

lol...I just walk up to them and kindly ask if they want to take it outside, with a smile offcourse....

 

[thebigoz]

I heard guys whispering behind my back saying "That guy is stupid. He thinks that pulling as much weight of the floor as he can is gonna get him huge."

I just smiled and kept going.

The funny thing is, I am way bigger than they are already.


People really make me laugh.

What scares me is when so called 'personal trainers' are the people saying it. I have seen that occur plenty of times.

Some of these guys run through a 6-week course and call themselves a qualified trainer. Scary to think that they are dishing out advice to the masses.