Deadlifting form

Kiwi guy · 14-Nov-05, 12:32 PM

Hi there

I have been deadlifting as the first exercise on back day for a couple of months now, and I have had no problems and the numbers are going up so that is great. However - I was analysing my form today and I noticed that I have my hands between my knees (mixed grip, no equipment) yet every magazine and website I have seen shows the lift performed with the hands OUTSIDE the knees. My feet are slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and the lift feels fine (well, as fine as a deadlift can feel I guess). Do you think I should continue this way or should I bring my feet closer together and put my hands outside my knees? My main goal is strength and mass for rugby. I play openside flanker so the ability to pick folks up is real handy. Dragging them out of the ruck etc. I guess the americans won't know what the heck I am talking about but never mind

Thanks for any input.

Dan C · 14-Nov-05, 02:29 PM

It sounds like you're doing sumo-style deadlifts. If it feels good and you're progressing, stick with it... it's going to target your hips/glutes a little more than regular deads and there's nothing wrong with that.

Run a google on the different styles so you can get a better understanding of proper form and technique.

**Firehawk** · 14-Nov-05, 07:14 PM

That's great advice Dan.

**Firehawk** · 15-Nov-05, 03:29 PM

Hey Kiwi,

Is this how you do your deadlifts?

Kiwi guy · 16-Nov-05, 04:59 AM

Pretty much. My legs are not quite that far apart and I am not quite pulling 600 yet... (more like 140kg which I think is about 290lb) But apart from that I guess I will just keep doing them this way and maybe alternate month by month with closer stance conventional lifts. Thanks for the help guys!

Justice · 18-Nov-05, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firehawk

Hey Kiwi,

Is this how you do your deadlifts?

when you do deadlifts right.....you dont have to have your feet that far apart do you, because i always thought you didnt

hmm.....

**Firehawk** · 20-Nov-05, 05:59 PM

The guy has them wide like that to cut on the ROM and also to recruit his biggest muscles in the posterior chain. You can do them however you feel comfortable. It's good to see you're doing them at all

:

**threenorns** · 21-Nov-05, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justice

when you do deadlifts right.....you dont have to have your feet that far apart do you, because i always thought you didnt

hmm.....

there's about four thousand, eight hundred, and twelve ways to deadlift.

the only WRONG way to do it is to not keep your back and head properly aligned.