4 ms·

Very subjective opinion: there's something special about deadlift methinks. I used to be an runner and doing all kinds of sports. My health went low, and there'

Very subjective opinion: there's something special about deadlift methinks. I used to be an runner and doing all kinds of sports. My health went low, and there's a particular sensation about finally being able to carry more than your own weight off the ground and stand up. No other workout exercises give this (pushups, planks, situps, pullups, you name it) It's probably a very primitve neural pathway and balancing need.. I don't know.

ricc 2y ago
It's because it literally targets your whole body. The weight is pulling down your arms, which itself is pulling down your back and shoulders. And since you are carrying the weight, it's putting compressive forces on your legs via gravity. Even your neck muscles will hurt if you position your head the wrong way. XD One of my personal best gym moments is when I deadlifted about 25% more than my bodyweight, which I was not able to repeat since.
- grvdrm 2y ago
  Try again! (to hit that PR) Some weeks you'll have the right combo, some weeks you won't. But my general approach is to work toward a PR of some sort every 6 weeks or so. I don't always get there, but, I keep trying!
  - ricc 2y ago
    Thanks! Appreciate the digital push. :-) I'm just nursing a tennis elbow right now, so I'll probably try again before or by end of July.
    - grvdrm 2y ago
      Understood - I have that problem too which unfortunately limits the heavy stuff sometimes.
- spacemadness 2y ago
  Is that a goal of yours to hit or exceed that? I’m nearing 3x my bodyweight in DL which I attribute to simply following a program that starts with linear progression then moves to more wave based strength training like 531. I can share more if you’re interested, but it depends on your goals.
  - ricc 2y ago
    Appreciate the offer! I'm actually just lifting for health right now, so most of my goals are to "lift heavier than last week" XD My only specific goal right now is to do more than one slow and proper pull-up. That DL PR, by the way, was also done raw (no straps or belts), so I was thinking I can do more when I do it with straps (or Versa Gripps) later after my tennis elbow heals.
    - gmays 2y ago
      I'd avoid straps or belts until you're at least around ~400lb so you develop your grip and core strength. If you think you need a belt, you could try lifting with a trap (hex bar). That's what I switched to recently and it's more comfortable as someone tall and turning 40.
dizhn 2y ago
Don't squats have the same thing? (Weighted squats of course, not the instagram variety)
- adammarples 2y ago
  You can generally deadlift a bit more than your squat, and it uses the arms more
  - dizhn 2y ago
    I don't remember my numbers from the last time I tried but I think my squat was higher. I naturally have "soccer player" thighs and lady wrists. I guess I should ride a bike or something :).
- npongratz 2y ago
  Squats don't work your grip, and I'd say deadlifts work your back quite a bit more than squats.
- lottin 2y ago
  Squats and deadlifts are the most effective exercises for strength training, as they involve a large amount of muscle mass, and therefore allow you to lift heavy weights.
  - voisin 2y ago
    I started doing Stronglifts 5x5 (very simple to follow and can be done totally free with the app or spreadsheet) and six months in I can’t believe how much stronger I’ve become. I haven’t noticed a huge difference visually so my poor ego is the only thing suffering.
    - lottin 2y ago
      Increases in strength usually go hand-in-hand with increases in bodyweight. I did Starting Strength, and gained 10kg in a few weeks. Some of it was fat obviously, but mostly it was muscle. Even though I didn't perceive myself much different everyone else did notice. Also I had to buy new clothes.
drowsspa 2y ago
I've been working out kind of regularly for almost 2 years but I had never done deaflifts. Last couple of weeks I've incorporated them, and yeah, I agree with you. I guess it also feels like a very useful movement outside of the gym as well, and you have to concentrate on your whole body. It feels awesome. It has easily become my favorite exercise, specially because I could start from my bodyweight, now it's up to 1.3 times. So I really recommend it if you didn't do those before
- agumonkey 2y ago
  yeah there's an utility aspect, and everyday you benefit from having strong legs and core stability. i'm trying to expand to new exercises that train this aspect, any kind of weight manipulation (similar to grocery bags or moving furniture up and down)

ricc 2y ago

It's because it literally targets your whole body. The weight is pulling down your arms, which itself is pulling down your back and shoulders. And since you are carrying the weight, it's putting compressive forces on your legs via gravity. Even your neck muscles will hurt if you position your head the wrong way. XD One of my personal best gym moments is when I deadlifted about 25% more than my bodyweight, which I was not able to repeat since.

grvdrm 2y ago
Try again! (to hit that PR) Some weeks you'll have the right combo, some weeks you won't. But my general approach is to work toward a PR of some sort every 6 weeks or so. I don't always get there, but, I keep trying!
- ricc 2y ago
  Thanks! Appreciate the digital push. :-) I'm just nursing a tennis elbow right now, so I'll probably try again before or by end of July.
  - grvdrm 2y ago
    Understood - I have that problem too which unfortunately limits the heavy stuff sometimes.
spacemadness 2y ago
Is that a goal of yours to hit or exceed that? I’m nearing 3x my bodyweight in DL which I attribute to simply following a program that starts with linear progression then moves to more wave based strength training like 531. I can share more if you’re interested, but it depends on your goals.
- ricc 2y ago
  Appreciate the offer! I'm actually just lifting for health right now, so most of my goals are to "lift heavier than last week" XD My only specific goal right now is to do more than one slow and proper pull-up. That DL PR, by the way, was also done raw (no straps or belts), so I was thinking I can do more when I do it with straps (or Versa Gripps) later after my tennis elbow heals.
  - gmays 2y ago
    I'd avoid straps or belts until you're at least around ~400lb so you develop your grip and core strength. If you think you need a belt, you could try lifting with a trap (hex bar). That's what I switched to recently and it's more comfortable as someone tall and turning 40.

dizhn 2y ago

Don't squats have the same thing? (Weighted squats of course, not the instagram variety)

adammarples 2y ago
You can generally deadlift a bit more than your squat, and it uses the arms more
- dizhn 2y ago
  I don't remember my numbers from the last time I tried but I think my squat was higher. I naturally have "soccer player" thighs and lady wrists. I guess I should ride a bike or something :).
npongratz 2y ago
Squats don't work your grip, and I'd say deadlifts work your back quite a bit more than squats.
lottin 2y ago
Squats and deadlifts are the most effective exercises for strength training, as they involve a large amount of muscle mass, and therefore allow you to lift heavy weights.
- voisin 2y ago
  I started doing Stronglifts 5x5 (very simple to follow and can be done totally free with the app or spreadsheet) and six months in I can’t believe how much stronger I’ve become. I haven’t noticed a huge difference visually so my poor ego is the only thing suffering.
  - lottin 2y ago
    Increases in strength usually go hand-in-hand with increases in bodyweight. I did Starting Strength, and gained 10kg in a few weeks. Some of it was fat obviously, but mostly it was muscle. Even though I didn't perceive myself much different everyone else did notice. Also I had to buy new clothes.

drowsspa 2y ago

I've been working out kind of regularly for almost 2 years but I had never done deaflifts. Last couple of weeks I've incorporated them, and yeah, I agree with you. I guess it also feels like a very useful movement outside of the gym as well, and you have to concentrate on your whole body. It feels awesome. It has easily become my favorite exercise, specially because I could start from my bodyweight, now it's up to 1.3 times. So I really recommend it if you didn't do those before

agumonkey 2y ago
yeah there's an utility aspect, and everyday you benefit from having strong legs and core stability. i'm trying to expand to new exercises that train this aspect, any kind of weight manipulation (similar to grocery bags or moving furniture up and down)