The deadlift is a weight training and strength training exercise in which a loaded barbell or bar is lifted off the ground to the level of the hips, torso perpendicular to the floor, before being placed back on the ground. It is one of the three powerlifting exercises, along with the squat and bench press,[1] as well as a frequent lift in strongman. It is also occasionally used in armlifting (sport of grip strength).
Two styles of deadlift are commonly used in competition settings: the conventional deadlift and the sumo deadlift.[2] While both of these styles are permitted under the rules of powerlifting, only the conventional stance is permitted in strongman.
The conventional deadlift can be broken down into three parts: the setup, the initial pull or drive, and the lockout.[3]
Setup: When performing a deadlift, a lifter sets in a position that eccentrically loads the gluteus maximus, gluteus minimus, biceps femoris, semitendinosus and semimembranosus while the muscles of the lumbar contract isometrically in an effort to stabilize the spine.
Drive: The next section of the deadlift produces the greatest amount of force. By pushing down through their heels while simultaneously pushing up and forward with their hips and maintaining a depressed scapula and a long tense spine, an individual can remain safe during this motion. This is considered the most difficult part of the entire movement due to the amount of work required to drive the bar off the ground initially.
Lockout: The finish is the most critical aspect of the motion. This requires being totally erect with a neutral spine and forceful hip extension to engage the muscles of the lumbar spine and abdomen in unison with the glutes.
Lowering the weight: Performing the above steps in reverse order. As the muscles of the back and core must remain tight throughout the motion, one should simply hinge at the hips and knees to bring the weight down. Lowering the chest towards the knees while keeping the bar close is the safest way to complete the motion.
There are a few common errors during the performance of the deadlift. Protracting the shoulders disengages the back muscles which stabilize the spine. Slack should be taken from the bar prior to the lift, by squeezing the back muscles first and straightening the arms; the bar should then be lifted in a smooth motion without jerking. As the objective of a deadlift is to hinge the hips, the knees should not be bent so deeply as to form a squat. If the bar is too far from the lifter, the lifter may compensate by rounding the back or shifting the weight to the front of the foot. Both result in shifting which muscles are used and could cause injury. Rounding the back in general is controversial; it is often recommended that during the lift, the back is flat with a spine neutral. Some lifters prefer to slightly round their back; but an excessively rounded back may result in the load being lifted awkwardly and placing too much stress or pressure on the back, which may lead to injury. The knees should be bent more fully on the descent of the bar to preserve a neutral spine.[4]
Deadlifts can be performed using dumbbells, barbells, or kettlebells with one hand or two hands, and with one leg or two legs. Other variations are the side deadlift or suitcase deadlift, rack pulls, deadlift lockouts, deficit deadlift or deadlift from a box (pulling from the floor while standing on a built or improvised low platform).[5]
Each of these variations is called for to address specific weaknesses in a lifter's overall deadlift. For instance, if the athlete has difficulty breaking contact at max weight, deficit deadlifts are performed to strengthen the gluteus maximus and hamstrings due to the greater range of motion required by standing on the low platform or low box. On the other hand, if the lifter has no problem with breaking contact with the floor but has difficulty locking out, they should perform rack pulls to strengthen their upper back, posterior deltoids, and trapezius muscles while de-emphasizing the gluteus and hamstrings.
Typically, there are three grips used: overhand (pronated), a mixed overhand-underhand (supinated) (sometimes called "offset," "staggered," "alternating", or "mixed") grip, or a hook grip. Depending on forearm strength, the overhand grip may result in the bar potentially rolling about. Mixed grip is capable of neutralizing this through the "physics of reverse torsion." The mixed grip allows more weight to be held for this reason.
In order to prevent the bar from rolling out of the hands, some lifters have been known to use an Olympic weightlifting technique known as the hook grip. This is similar to an overhand grip, but the thumbs are inside, allowing the lifter to "hook" onto them with the fingers. The hook grip can make it easier to hold heavier weights using less grip strength, and keeps both shoulders and elbows in a symmetrical position. While it theoretically takes much of the stress off the joints which might be created by the twisting of a mixed grip, it has the disadvantage of being extremely uncomfortable for the thumbs, something which those who advocate it says will pass once a lifter becomes accustomed to it. Another, but rarely used method is a combination of the mixed overhand-underhand grip and the hook grip, preferred by people who lift heavier weights than their grip can handle, but who don't want to rely on lifting straps or other supportive gear.
Many powerlifters adopt the overhand grip for their lower weight sets and move to the mixed grip to lift larger weights so they can achieve their one rep max.
A neutral grip can be achieved by the use of a trap bar; which is a hexagonal shaped bar which the lifter stands inside whilst holding the two side handles. The neutral grip provides the lifter with slightly different posturing which can help reduce the risk of injury.[6]
A barbell deadlift is a compound exercise and works the gluteus maximus with further work on the quadriceps femoris, hamstrings, trapezius, lats, and erector spinae.[7] The quadriceps, hamstrings, adductor magnus, and soleus serve as synergists during the exercise.[7] For the powerlifting deadlift (where lifting straps are not allowed), the grip strength is also a decisive factor.
There are numerous variations of the deadlift.
Partial deadlift- This is where the range of movement (ROM) of the lift is reduced in order to train a particular part of it. Usually, this involves lifting from a higher starting position. This may be facilitated through the use of blocks or pins in a power rack. When considered in regard to the ROM of a normal deadlift, this means that the lift begins in a higher and stronger phase, avoids a lower and weaker phase, and thereby allows for more weight to be lifted. This can lead to increased strength gains.[8] A partial repetition deadlift may also only involve working in the lower weaker phase, in order to improve the amount if strength that can be applied there and help to overcome any sticking points.[9]
Single leg deadlift- This is a deadlift where one foot is on the ground and the other is raised. The grounded leg is primarily used to lift the weight and power the movement. The raised leg is roughly parallel with the straight grounded leg when the weight is lifted, and moves behind when the weight is lowered and the person bends over. As a unilateral, single leg exercise, it utilises the hips more so than if it was performed in a bilateral manner. It also means that the balance and core stability requirements are increased and this can lead to improvements in this regard.[10]
Trap bar deadlift- This involves the use of a trap bar (a.k.a. hex bar) which is a hexagonal or octagonal bar within which the user stands. The handles are positioned at the side, which means that a neutral grip, with the palms of the hand turned inward, can be used. This alters the ROM of the lift and generally makes it less taxing on the lower back and reduces the risk of injury. Usually, there are two pairs of handles with one pair positioned higher, making the lift relatively easier, and the other lower, making the lift relatively harder.[11] The ROM of the trap bar deadlift means that a greater level of power can be generated in comparison to a traditional deadlift or squat. A similar exercise which also involves enhanced levels of power production is the trap bar jump i.e. a vertical jump while holding a trap bar.[12]
Romanian deadlift (RDL)- Unlike conventional deadlifts where the barbell starts on the floor, in RDLs, the barbell is lifted from a standing position, and the movement focuses on hinging at the hips while maintaining a slight bend in the knees. The emphasis is on keeping the back flat and engaging the hamstrings and glutes to lift the weight as the hips are pushed back. RDLs are particularly effective for improving hip hinge mechanics, strengthening the hamstrings and glutes, and enhancing overall posterior chain development. They are often used in strength training and sports performance programs to improve functional movement patterns and athletic performance. RDLs can also be performed with implements like dumbbells and kettlebells.[13]
B Stance Romanian Deadlift (B-Stance RDL) - A b-stance RDL replicates the movement of a standard RDL and a single leg RDL. Using either a dumbbell or barbell the weight starts at a standing position and the movement focuses on the hip hinge movement while maintaining a flat back and slight bent at the knees. Taking your standard RDL form you slide one leg back with the front leg acting as the working leg and taking most of the lead the back leg is for stabilization. While not a complete unilateral movement as the supporting leg provides assistance it still targets glutes, hamstrings and erector spine. [14]
Stiff leg deadlift (SLDL)- This emphasizes hamstring development and lower back resilience. Similar to the conventional deadlift setup, it requires standing with feet shoulder-width apart, hinging at the hips. Contrary to its name, the legs are not fully straightened during the movement. Instead, the emphasis lies on minimizing knee bend while pushing the hips back, creating a parallel alignment of the torso to the ground. SLDL reduces quad engagement, intensifies the demand on the lower back, and challenges the hamstrings from a lengthened position. While it may not accommodate heavy loads like standard deadlifts, it serves as a valuable exercise for individuals seeking targeted hamstring engagement and lower back resilience within their routine.[15]
A deadlift suit is a special piece of powerlifting assistance clothing. The suits are made from very tight material. The material tightens on the squat on the way down, storing energy, that gives an extra boost with the stored tension to lift up. Thus, records are recorded with and without the suit. The suits are also of two different types: single ply (one layer) and multi ply (two or more layers). The assistance increase as the number of layers increase. The starting position with a suit is slightly different to maximize use, so training with a suit is different. Wrist wraps are sometimes used to provide support, not necessarily to increase the weight lifted, as a suit does.[16]
Straps can help in a deadlift in case of a weak grip. Figure 8 straps are allowed in some strongman competitions. They allow the lifter to hold the bar in their fingertips and can reduce the distance travelled by over an inch.[17]
Chains and thick elastic bands can be attached to either end of the barbell in order to increase or decrease resistance at different phases of the lift. This is known as a variable resistance deadlift.
See also: Progression of the deadlift world record. Men:
(2020)[18]
(2016)[19] (2019)[20] (2011)[21]
(2012)[22] (2022)[24]
(2022)[25] (2024)[26]
(2022)[27]
(2022)[28]Women:
(2023)[30] (2024)[31] (2005)[32] (2024)[34] (2019)[35] (2022)[36]