Comments on: Proper Hip Position on the Deadlift: It’s Not a Squat

By: bob

bob — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 16:31:40 +0000

hey. i hurt my back doing deadlifts today, i was on 83kg. i think it was the way i was doing it, my back felt straight, but i think i pull the bar up. should i raise using legs first then squeeze my glutes to straighten up.
my back hurts really low down on the hip region. how can i tell if its serious or not. am thinking of dropping the weight am using for my excercises and starting fresh to make sure i learn proper technique is this a good idea

By: Mehdi

Mehdi — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 11:28:04 +0000

If the weight is not on your heels, you’ll end up on your toes, losing balance. About the technique: if the bar is further from your legs, you increase the torque on your back.

By: Jason Papillon

Jason Papillon — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 20:35:15 +0000

Very interesting article, i am going to experiment with both techniques, but i assume it’s more harder to keep the weight on heels if u do it the rippetoe way, or? I think the technique is not the most important thing as long as my lower back isn’t round though since i feel im built for deadlifting.

By: Mehdi

Mehdi — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 18:12:18 +0000

Read this article (read the whole thread too) & read starting strength. Then test both: shoulders before & shoulders behind. Experiment & report what feels best. Andy Bolton who has deadlifted 455kg keeps his shoulders in front of the bar.

By: Jason Papillon

Jason Papillon — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 17:11:24 +0000

I read an article by Sakari Selkäinaho from a finnish bodybuilding magazine just few hours ago, the article was about deadlift and he said one of the mistakes is the let the shoulders go forward. Im looking forward for ur new posts

By: Mehdi

Mehdi — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 13:25:17 +0000

Dave Tate advises that indeed Jason. I don’t agree with it, neither does Rippetoe. I’ve written a follow post on this btw, I’ll publish it next month.

By: Jason Papillon

Jason Papillon — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 13:18:16 +0000

the guys at WSB do advice to keep ur shins OFF the bar and keep the shoulders infront of the bar, u might want to check their stuff if u havent already

By: Mehdi

Mehdi — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:59:45 +0000

Got the same thing with Barbell/Pendlay Rows

By: galapogos

galapogos — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 02:24:34 +0000

I have the same problem looking up as well Mehdi, especially on heavier sets. Trying to fix that. Everytime I pull with my head looking up I end up with a sore neck. Not supposed to look down, just keep your neck in line with your spine.

By: Mehdi

Mehdi — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 11:53:40 +0000

You can’t pull in a straight line, your legs are in your way if the shoulders are over the bar. Take a look at the deadlift pic above & imagine the shoulders are in front of the bar: you can’t get past the knees without the bar coming before you, this makes exercise harder (more torque on lower back).