Comments on: Can Deadlifts Cause Back Hernia?

By: Mehdi

Mehdi — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 16:26:00 +0000

Thanks Roberto. I agree about the belts. I never liked using belts. Many use belts not to increase stability but because they have lower back pain. In those cases the belt gives a wrong sense of security without solving the cause of the lower back pain which is not using the trunk muscles as you point out. Great comment Roberto.

By: Roberto Alencar

Roberto Alencar — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 16:20:12 +0000

Hello I am from Brazil, 29 years old. First of all I’d like to say that this is a great website. well I have a lot of bulge discs in my lower back, and that’s because of poor form and weigthliftingbelts. weigthliftbelt is not good for the back in my opinion, every lifter must learn how to use the core-stability of our own body, God has made a great machine with great core-stability. I Know that the bulges discs still there in my lower back, but now I am doing front squats and deadlifts using my core-stability and I don’t want to see a belt again.

By: Mehdi

Mehdi — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 06:00:46 +0000

Michael:
1) Natural lumbar arch: yes. Extreme arching: no. Bending: no.
2) The knees extend first on the deadlift, next the hips come forward & the back comes up. Lockout is complete extension of all three.

The deadlift is not a pull back motion, it’s a hip forward. If you raise the weight with your back, your lower back will hurt. Check this article on deadlift & pulling back.

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:07:31 +0000

im kinda confused on the deadlift form now.
1. lumbar arch throughout, yes?
2. as for his motion in the video, what i find surprising is that his hips move first. as in he sticks his ass out n up before raising his upper body. i always thought it was-back goes up first, legs follow afterwards.

??
thanks man!

By: Mehdi

Mehdi — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 11:32:21 +0000

Hello Ali

1) A belt is useful to teach you bracing your abs. To be honest, I never use one. Edit: if needed, you could use them on the Squat/Deadlift/Overhead Press. But only when the weight starts to get serious (the last sets).

2) If you have difficulties arching, check the back extension-flexion post. They will improve your back flexibility.

Thanks for the kind words on StrongLifts.com. Keeps me going.

By: Ali

Ali — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 11:14:20 +0000

Salaam Mehdi

First off I want to state what a great site you have created, lots of great “usable info”- I as well am a big fan of the routines, and theories of Mark Rippetoe and Bill Starr- Two q’s- 1) what is your opinion of using a belt- and when and on which exercises? 2) I have a difficult time arching my low back for squatsm, deads,m and rows- any tips? Thanks

By: Mehdi

Mehdi — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 17:09:16 +0000

If you have a video of yourself performing a deadlift, feel free to post it. I’ll give you my opinion.

You will indeed feel more soreness in the hamstrings/glutes/traps the day than in the lower back. I rarely get a sore lower back at all, whatever the exercise.

By: pens

pens — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 16:30:49 +0000

Ive been doing deadlifts for 3 weeks now
and in the beginning i was kinda scared that my form wasnt that good
but now the deadlift goes better and better, reps are going good
and when i have done it i can feel my lower back
the day after i feel my hamstrings and butt more then my lower back
i always have a little doubt if i am doing it correct
but when i look on these sites and videos i dont think that i am doing them wrong

By: Mehdi

Mehdi — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 19:01:11 +0000

Totally agree Jay. Bad technique leads to injury & gives strength training a bad reputation.

I don’t like mainstream gyms letting trainees passing away with doing exercises the wrong way.

Thanks for the motivating words on the blog Jay.

By: Jay

Jay — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 17:20:44 +0000

good article…

I see kids a lot in the gym having horrendous form in the DL, and I try to stop all of them and help them with their form. The DL is an exercise that you NEED to have impeccable form in.

Being that I was a PT for a few years and majored in physical therapy in college I feel it would be wrong of me not to help out a kid with bad form when I do see it.

You are doing a great job with this site, I enjoy reading your input and your willingness to talk to the people who comment and/or disagree.