Question about deadlifts

[daemon]

I keep seeing all these posts in here about these huge deadlifts. I feel like I'm doing something wrong so I thought ask for everyones advice.

I started doing deads about a month ago. At 185 I have no problems. My form seems to be fine. If I go any higher I can't lift it without fucking up my form. I don't curl my back but at the start of the lift my back is basically horizontal trying to lift it and it doesn't "feel" right.

Normally I would think it was because I just started doing deadlifts but I look at everyone else and thier biggest numbers are all on deadlifts. Heck I can squat, bench, or stiff-legged dead lift more than I can deadlift. It just doesn't seem right to me.

Is this normal? Is that how most of you guys started out?

 

[coolcolj]

if your back is horizontal then you need to bend your legs more and get your as down lower

I have the same problem, my ass moves before the bar actually gets off the ground. I've been working on that, an dhoepfully I'll be able to lift more.

 

[zackdarnell]

Good advice from CoolColJ. Get your ass lower at the start, and keep your back straight on the way up.Pull with your legs and back @ the same time.

 

[Thaibox]

Yup, its probably the butt thing. Try to drop your ass down at the start of the pull, like an eccentric motion(just without pulling). So, your body is actually in motion before you begin the pull. That always keeps my butt down and forces me to use more legs. Watch others do it.

Don't get down if your dead numbers don't skyrocket like some people. You just might not be a puller, and you'll find you excel at pressing better.

 

[Lord_Suston]

ass down and head up, try to look up the whole time this will keep you but down. JKust try to stand with the weight instead of pull it, this will help straighten your back in the long run

 

[spatts]

Some initial thoughts, having not seen you do it...

How can you keep your erectors tight and lead with your chest, looking up....and have your back parallel to the floor? There's no question in my mind that this is a form issue. Your rear end is the fulcrum, and you aren't using it to your advantage. The deadlift is basically pulling the bar BACK fast while thrusting the hips forward. You use your calves, hamies, glutes, erectors, obliques, abs, etc...to lift the weight while keeping it as close as possible to the fulcrum...your arse. The further the bar is from your body, the less leverage you will have. If you stood two feet away from the bar, could you lift it? No. You wouldn't have any leverage. When you start the deadlift by "scooping" the bar, so to speak, you are also generating speed off the floor. I am a grip and rip deadlifter, myself, but when I'm pulling for reps, I use this technique.

How far are you standing from the bar? Where are you looking? How much time do you spend down at the bar before pulling it? Are you using anything to help your grip? Where's your sticking point? At what point in the lift do your legs straighten out (immediately, mid, end)? What hurts most the next day (erectors, hammies, etc..)?

 

[Hannibal]

Respectfully submitted...why would you want to get your ass down? The closer you can keep your hips to the bar...the better your leverage is going to be. Sitting down only increases this distance and decreases leverage. It also has a tendency to throw your knees forward...which in turn causes you to have to pull out and around your knees. Pulling in a straight line is more efficient.

A little "drop and drive" or scooping right at the beginning is one thing. But sitting down before you pull seems counterproductive...at least in the conventional stance.

 

[spatts]

Keep in mind that when powerlifters "drop and drive," they are in their well-trained box squat position...knees behind the feet, tight erectors, sitting back, prepared to drive the hips forward. This is why we train deads/squats interchangeably. Similar mechanics and required recruitment.

I wonder when you say "ass down" if you really mean down like ATF or just not up in the air like an RDL. Can you clarify?

 

[zackdarnell]

I wonder when you say "ass down" if you really mean down like ATF or just not up in the air like an RDL. Can you clarify?

I'm not sure if this was dierected to me, but when I say ass down, I mean just not up like an RDL. Not ATF either.

 

[Intenceman]

I'm not a powerlifter per se, but I have done quite a few deads as part of my training, so maybe this will help. Grasp the bar a little wider than shoulder width, feet spaced comfortably, but not too wide, drop your hips, then visualizing your arms as hooks, mentally try to push your feet through the floor, land lean back as the bar begins to rise and your legs straighten.