Deadlift - bad to lift a little higher to avoid knob?

[Retro]

Can't think of a better way to express my question with the title there but the problem I have with deadlifts is that my arms (like most I assume) are at the length where the bar is level with my knob when performing a deadlift.

To clarify, once the bar is lifted and I move my hip forward as I reach the top of the lift, I tend to bend my arms a little, so that the bar comes up higher on me, otherwise it's quite uncomfortable.

Now, is it wrong to pull up with the arms a bit (should the arms be straight for a deadlift and the biceps should play little role?) or should I not be bringing the bar that close to me / move that close to the bar.

Not sure if you guys will understand what I mean but thanks for any help
(just for the record, the muscle 'pain' I feel today is in my back - feel it when doing a back stretch, no pain in the biceps)

[westside24]

you know the answer to that question... bar should stay against your body all times, traveling up against your chins and best as possible against your guads and hips. lock your arms out, do not use your bis or shoulders. you shouldnt even be concentrating on your arms when doing, just pay attention to your legs and lack, and traps. and keeping your head str8.

oh yea! wear a cup! or wear extra clothing if your afraid of "waking up" from grazing it repeatedly. lol

[Retro]

hah, that's not the issue, it's just uncomfortable, perhaps I need my legs wider apart, as if I do lock my arms out, then I have the bar pressed against me and it pleasant. I'll try to let the bar slide up me rather then come up parrallel then only touch me at the end of the lift.

[Merrida]

In all my years, you know I have never heard this complaint? And I think to the men I train who wear spandex biking shorts during their training sessions and I have them doing a variety of styles of DL's.

The worse thing you can do is create space between your body and the bar. Your back should be flat, shoulders BACK and retracted scapula, weight on heels, let the bar down grazing the shins, HIPS MUST LEAN BACK until you almost feel like you'll topple and you feel the stretch/strain in the glutes and hips. Keeping back rigid, stand up, unfold, extend hips (it's all about the hips in performing this, don't think, consciously, about your upper back, other than the fact you need to keep your scapula retracted and not let your shoulders drop the weight). Your grip width won't change the bar's position.

You need to drag the bar up your legs from your shins on up, and your arms are totally straight, they aren't involved, not even a tiny bit, nothing, nadda, zip, zilch. At the top of the movement, you have the option of a slight back extension, pelvic tilt, or not. I don't have everyone do it.

But it really should not be a problem. I've never known a man to complain about this, so I'm having the devil of a time trying to figure out what on earth you are doing.

And I'd agree, ....man, wear a cup if it bugs you that much, or two pairs of workout pants. I dunno dude.

.

[chris m]

If you are able to bend your arms you are not lifting enough weight. If you do not bend them your problem will be solved.

Chris

[maverick]

do you have like crazy short arms or what?

[Merrida]

The other thing is, remember the name of the exercise, it is called a "dead lift." Literally, lifting a dead weight. Period. End of story. It isn't "dead lift with anterior raise and superior elevation."

Don't overthink it, but stay true to the exercise.

Merrida contemplates quietly to herself: "I dunno, I dunno,.....I'm still wondering how this guy is doing this?

[Travis Bell]

only thing I can think of is that you are really pushing your hips forward at the top? Are you bending way far back?

Just stand up straight, lock your hips and knees out, but don't hyperextend them. Other than that, this would be the first time I've heard of this being a problem haha

[hellpup]

A grip that's a little closer together might keep the bar low enough not to cause discomfort -- I have the same issue and that worked for me. You can also try doing them "sumo" style -- feet shoulder width apart and arms close together inside your legs.

[.V.]

My arms are the wrong length for deadlifting too. Yeah, the bar will surely brush against it. So what? It's not gonna fall off. Do the lift right if you are gonna do it or you WILL end up injured. Deadlifts really aren't supposed to be comforatable anyway.

The arms are just the link between the back & legs and the bar...nothing more. If you are able to raise them, shrug them, or even realize that you have any anatomical parts other than a back and legs...you are lifting WAAAY too light.

[westside24]

good answers guys.. 100pts to all of you, guys are silly billes too.

[TheWICKED]

Originally Posted by chris m

If you are able to bend your arms you are not lifting enough weight. If you do not bend them your problem will be solved.

Chris

can't agree more.. i whip my dummy every time i lift my warmup weights but when i lift with STRAIGHT arms like you're supposed to.. especially with heavier stuff, no problems! I also tuck it to the side and along my hips just incase.

seriously though... on a side note.. .never deadlift with ANYTHING but straight arms. Bent arms prime the biceps for a tear which WILLL eventually happen lifting like that.

[LiftGirl]

Originally Posted by Merrida

At the top of the movement, you have the option of a slight back extension, pelvic tilt, or not. I don't have everyone do it.

Lisa, what is the advantage/disadvantage of using a slight back extension at the top of the lift. I'm JW. I sometimes find myself doing a slight (very slight) hyperextension, and I'm wondering if I should go with it or try to stop it. I have been trying to stop it by paying attention to the end of the lift.

[minime]

How on earth could you bend your arms at the top of a deadlift, unless using a very light weight? up the weight and suck it up! then again I don't have the apparatus you speak of so I guess I wouldn't know how it feels!

hmm I guess that is one benefit of being a woman!

[westside24]

ha! apparatus