5 tips for a stronger deadlift

Published: Thu, 05/22/14

5 Tips For A Stronger Deadlift...here we go :)

1. Make Your Core Very Strong

The deadlift is one of those exercises where many
lifters look great with sub-maximal weight, but then
their form goes down the toilet when they get to
85 or 90% of their max.

The most common error is allowing your lower back
to round as you pull heavy weights.

To keep your lower back in it's strongest and safest
position - a neutral position - your core has to be
strong.

You have to get your abs strong, your lats strong and
your glutes strong.

Planks, Side Bends and Leg Raises will take care of
your abs.

Pull Ups and Rows will make your lats strong.

And the Kettlebell Swing will give you glutes of steel.

2. Pull With Straight Arms

Pulling with bent arms - like many lifters do - is DUMB.

It's weak and it's a recipe for a biceps tear.

So don't do it.

One way to keep your arms straight is to focus on tensing
your triceps as hard as possible throughout your deadlifts.

3. Squeeze The Bar As Hard As Possible

The law of irradiation states that when you tense one 
muscle group HARD, all the muscles around it fire hard
too.

Many lifters simply grip the bar 'just hard enough so they
can hold onto it'.

I prefer to 'death grip' every working set because it builds
grip strength and then - when you MAX OUT - you're ready
to contract everything as hard as possible and haul up
that new personal best ;)

4. Don't Max Out Too Often

If your deadlift is 225lbs, you can probably get away with
maxing out quite frequently.

But once you get a little stronger, maxing out frequently
is not a good idea because the deadlift is hard to recover
from.

I recommend maxing once every 8 weeks at the most and
sometimes less often that than.

Stay fresh.

5. Use Speed Work In Your Program

I'm a big believer in speed work, so long as it doesn't
compromise your technique.

I like to do speed work after my heavier work, when I'm
really warm.

60-75% bar weight for multiple doubles and triples. And
keep those rest periods short - about a minute - because
this builds good conditioning.

For more help with your deadlift - grab a copy of Deadlift
Domination by clicking here

Keep training hard,
 
Mike Westerdal
CriticalBench.com