[LeanMachine]

I've got a few questions about deadlifts:

First, I may be one of the few individuals who actually enjoys doing deadlifts but I'm not sure where to put it in my routine: Back day, or Leg day? As of now, I have it in my leg day:

Squats
Sumo Deadlifts
Leg Extensions
Romanian Deadlifts
Lying Leg Curls

But I was thinking that I could put just plain old Deadlifts in my Back workout on Tuesday (my legs are Friday, so I've got plenty of rest), but would this actually be any more benefical for my back?

Second, when I'm doing deadlifts and I'm returning the bar to the floor at the end of a rep, I don't actually let the weight touch the ground. Is this bad? Does it put strain on my back or something? In other words, at the end of each rep, should I be letting the weight rest of the ground for a fraction of a second before I continue?

Also, I've seen and read about a lot of ways of doing deadlifts (and seen some retarded attempts at deadlifts in the gym), but I was wondering what kinds you guys liked the most and what little things you guys did to make doing them easier or whatever.

For instance, I really like widestance (sumo) deadlifts because I find that I can lift more. Sometimes I have trouble with my grip, so I started using the one hand overhand, one underhand grip (I don't know what to call this). A gym I worked out at over the summer had chalk too, which was really helpful.

So whats your favorite kind of deadlift? Why? What little tricks do you have for doing them?

[ognickyk]

i like to put it in my back day

[Beefcake]

I use regular deads for most purposes then sumos when I'm trying for a new max.

[chrispghmuscle]

I perform my deads with my feet shoulder width apart and I use the alternating hand grip, switching each set. Typically I will do them with my back. By some days I just do them, due to the fact that I like to go heavier than all hell.

Chris

[Raab]

Back day for me. I absolutely love Deadlifts. i do them shoulder width with an over-hand grip. I absolutely love back day too. just to point that out...

[skeptic]

I do it at the start of my back day, alternating grip. Followed by bent over rows... my lower back just dies lol

[christopherryan]

Put them in with leg day. Unless your legs are mostly straight and you bend at the hips, it's primarily a leg movement. The "back" that is effected is the lower back, which is very different from the upper back muscles that move your arms (like in pullups, rows, etc)

[skeptic]

i barely feel it through my legs... the only time the weight touches the ground in my set is right at the start when i pick it up and at the end when i put it down.

what were you trying to get at with the end part? that i do bent over rows for lower back? lol

[st.george]

i feel it in my hams the day after... and i slightly touch the floor on every rep so i know that im doing max movement, i bend my knees a little bit more to touch trying not to slam the weight down

[skeptic]

i dont let the bar touch the ground because im using it as a lower back/core exercise. If my core cant support it then im doing to much weight. I guess i dont really use deadlifts as a powerlifting movement, i dont go for a max, but i do fuck my back totally.

[st.george]

i know what u mean dude! after each workout im like"BRING ON THE PAIN!!" i love thinking about what the pains gonna be like after!

[st.george]

i know what u mean dude! after each workout im like"BRING ON THE PAIN!!" i love thinking about what the pains gonna be like after!

[mabo]

1- I've always been of the belief that a back day is built around deadlifting and a leg day is built around squatting. They're the two most demanding exercises so it makes sense to spread them out through the training week.

2- whether or not you set the bar down completely is up to you. As long as you're lifting under control you're not any more susceptible to injury if you don't touch the ground.

3- the style of deadlifting that you use will depend on your body. Experiment with different grip widths, body positions, rep ranges and lifting styles. There's plenty of combinations available to keep things from getting stale. Pull off floor, standing on blocks or out of the rack at various heights from mid shin to kneecap.

4- Call it a mixed grip, or some just call it an over-under grip. Chalk is a big help with any form of deadlifting, and it's also very cheap so well worth the investment. Baby powder on the thighs is helpful if attempting a max, especially so when lifting sumo. If your grip is weak then the hand on the pronated side tends to open up as it drags up your thigh. The powder helps reduce the friction.