Stronglift deadlift how to....

[jim2323]

Hello, I have a question on the tutorial for deadlifts. The one on this site(http://stronglifts.com/how-to-deadlift- ... technique/)

Under the "Performing The Deadlift" section of this tutorial it says,

"Chest Up. Make a big chest & lift it up. Pull your shoulders back. Keep this position at all time & your back will never be able to round." and again on "Bringing the Weight Down"
"Chest Up, Look Forward. Neglecting to do both will make your back round. Keep your chest up, shoulders back & look forward."

Can someone please tell me what is meant by keeping your chest up? It seems like my chest is down facing the ground. Do I arch my back up a little and cause my cheast to point out?

Also another question, the part where it says "Pulling with Bent Arms. You could tear your biceps by pulling with bent arms. Keep your arms straight, tighten your triceps." does that mean to keep my arms locked or is there a slight bend?

Sorry for asking stupid quesitons, but I wanted to clearify.

Thanks

[ricepower]

Keep your arms 'locked out' as straight as possible, no bend.

When you are in the beginning position, try to stick your chest out as much as possible. Some back arching can be good.

The start position differs on body type, if your like me - chest faces ground so its very hard to get it to stick out or get a back arch going. But if you can, do it. It will make your lifts safer and more efficient.

[Eivind]

For the back think, my chest lies close to parallell to the floor, so sticking it out is pretty hopeless for me. I use a different technique than involves rounding of the upper back instead. And for the arms thing, you'll never pull with bent arms unless you purposely try to do so. Keep them straight and you'll be fine.

Technique I use described by Andy Bolton on T-nation

[ricepower]

It doesnt say anything about rounding the upper back in that article.

[iCookie]

Well if you're going to put your chest up, your upper back will be rounded.

I think the general conseus here is too keep your spine as straight as possible.

However if you have inflexible hamstrings, your lower back will tuck in. If you have this problem, it might help to keep your chest up. Otherwise it's not necessary, imo.

[Portillo]

Stick your chest up means like when you take a big breath, and your chest gets inflated.

[JasonLB]

It doesnt say anything about rounding the upper back in that article.

From the article: "In the start position, your lower back should be arched and your upper back should be relaxed."

In other words, the shoulder blades aren't pulled together and the upper back will have a slight kyphotic curve. A lot of guys pull with a relaxed -- or curved -- upper back. Konstantin Konstinovos is one of the more well known examples. It's a perfectly safe technique and it shortens the range of motion of the pull.