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Writer's pictureChris Roberts PT

Powerlifting Deadlift: Step-by-Step Instructions

The deadlift is one of the most iconic and effective exercises in powerlifting, targeting your entire posterior chain, including the back, glutes, hamstrings, and core. A well-executed deadlift demonstrates raw strength and is critical for powerlifting competitions. Here's how to perform a deadlift with proper form, ensuring maximum strength and safety.


1. Choose Your Stance: Conventional vs. Sumo

There are two primary styles of deadlifting in powerlifting: conventionalĀ and sumo. The choice depends on your body mechanics, preference, and goals.

  • Conventional Deadlift: Feet are about hip-width apart, with hands gripping the bar outside your legs. This stance emphasizes your back and hamstrings.

  • Sumo Deadlift: Feet are placed wider than shoulder-width, with toes pointing out and hands gripping the bar inside your legs. This style relies more on your hips and quads.

Choose the stance that feels comfortable and allows you to lift the most weight.


2. Set Up at the Bar

  • Feet Position: Stand with the barbell over the midline of your feet. Your feet should be flat, with toes pointed slightly outward (in conventional) or more outward in sumo.

  • Barbell Position: The bar should be close to your shinsā€”about 1 inch away.

  • Hand Grip: Grip the bar with both hands using either a double overhand grip (both palms facing you) or a mixed grip (one palm facing you, one facing away) for heavier loads. Keep your hands just outside your legs in the conventional stance or inside your legs in the sumo stance.

  • Hook Grip (Optional): Advanced lifters may use a hook grip, where the thumb wraps under the bar and the fingers trap it in place.


3. Engage Your Lats and Brace Your Core

  • Engage the Lats: Before you begin the lift, imagine trying to "bend the bar" toward your legs by pulling your shoulder blades down and back. This engages your lats, keeping the bar close to your body and your spine stable.

  • Brace Your Core: Take a deep breath and brace your core by tightening your abdominal muscles. Think of your torso as a solid block to protect your spine.


4. Hip and Shoulder Position

  • Hips: Your hips should be slightly higher than your knees in the conventional deadlift and closer to knee height in the sumo deadlift. Avoid starting too high (like a stiff-legged deadlift) or too low (like a squat).

  • Shoulders: Position your shoulders slightly ahead of the bar in the conventional deadlift and more directly over the bar in the sumo deadlift. In both styles, keep your chest up and back flat.


5. The Lift (Pulling the Bar)

  • Push Through Your Heels: Begin the lift by pushing your feet into the ground, driving through your heels, and keeping the bar close to your shins as you lift.

  • Leg and Hip Drive: In the initial phase of the lift, extend your knees and hips simultaneously. The bar should travel in a straight line as you rise.

  • Keep the Bar Close: Maintain contact between the bar and your body throughout the entire lift. In the conventional deadlift, the bar should brush your shins and thighs; in the sumo deadlift, the bar should stay close to your shins and hips.

  • Lockout: At the top of the lift, stand tall with your chest up and shoulders back. Your hips should be fully extended (without overextending or leaning backward). Hold the bar steady, but donā€™t hyperextend your lower back at the lockout.


6. Lowering the Bar (Descent)

  • Controlled Descent: To lower the bar, hinge at your hips while keeping your chest up and back flat. Avoid simply dropping the bar. Bend your knees slightly once the bar passes your knees and guide the bar back to the ground.

  • Return to Start: Once the bar reaches the ground, reset your position if needed before attempting another rep.


Key Points to Remember:

  • Neutral Spine: Keep your spine in a neutral position throughout the lift, with your chest up and back flat. Avoid rounding your back, as this increases the risk of injury.

  • Bar Path: The bar should travel in a straight, vertical line from the floor to lockout. Keeping the bar close to your body ensures an efficient bar path and reduces strain on your lower back.

  • Breathing and Bracing: Take a deep breath and brace your core before each lift to protect your lower back and generate more power.

  • Full Hip Extension: At the top of the lift, stand tall with your hips fully extended. Do not hyperextend your back or lean backward, as this can strain your lower spine.


Common Deadlift Mistakes:

  • Rounded Back: Rounding your back, especially your lower back, is one of the most common mistakes and can lead to serious injury. Always focus on maintaining a neutral spine.

  • Bar Too Far from the Body: Letting the bar drift away from your body places unnecessary strain on your lower back and reduces efficiency. Keep the bar close at all times.

  • Pulling with Your Arms: Your arms should be straight and serve as hooks for the bar. Donā€™t try to ā€œpullā€ the bar with your arms or bicepsā€”let your legs and hips do the work.

  • Hyperextending at the Top: At the lockout, stand up tall, but avoid leaning backward, which puts excess pressure on your spine. Squeeze the glutes to avoid hyperextension.


Deadlift Tips for Powerlifting Competitions

  • Practice with Pauses: In competitions, the bar must come to a complete stop on the floor before the next lift. Practice pausing between reps to simulate competition conditions.

  • Warm Up Properly: Always warm up thoroughly with lighter weights before attempting heavy sets or max lifts.

  • Train Your Grip: Grip strength can often be the limiting factor in deadlifting heavy weights. Incorporate grip-specific exercises, such as holds or heavy barbell rows, into your routine.

  • Sumo vs. Conventional: Experiment with both styles to find which works best for you. Many powerlifters favour sumo due to its shorter range of motion, while others prefer conventional for its emphasis on back strength.


Conclusion

The deadlift is a powerful lift that showcases raw strength and is vital for success in powerlifting. By following these step-by-step instructions and focusing on technique, youā€™ll be able to lift heavier and more efficiently while reducing the risk of injury. Whether you're just starting or aiming for competition, mastering the deadlift will help you become stronger and more confident in your powerlifting journey.


Now, grab that barbell and start lifting!

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