How to Do Stronger Deadlifts

The deadlift is one of the most physically-demanding forms of weight training out there, so it comes as no surprise that a lot of people hit a ceiling where it seems like they cannot lift any more weight, regardless of how hard they try. The temptation may be to stop when you reach this performance ceiling, but there are lots of hints and tricks that can help you up the amount of iron you can pump while deadlifting.

Make sure you are getting your basic deadlift technique correct. Get a friend to watch you lift with a critical eye on a decent-sized lift. A lot of lifters develop bad habits that can affect the weight that they manage to pull with every lift. Practice the basics using an empty non-weighted bar if you feel yourself deviating away from a correct lift—practice makes perfect, even when you are pulling your best. Maximize your pulling position by checking to make sure your feet are where they should be and that you have the right grip on the bar.

Train all the muscles that you use independently of the deadlift. Train your hamstrings with squats, your arms with bench presses, and anything else you think may help up your lifting power. If one part of your lift is weaker than the rest, you’ll find yourself limited in the amount that you can get off the ground. Being a deadlifter does NOT mean just deadlifting! If you feel the need to, drop the deadlift entirely for a period to focus on all-over muscle training. The human body is like a chain – only as strong as its weakest link. Get your cross-training in, and watch the results skyrocket.

Don’t ignore the rack as a training tool. If used properly it can help correct bad technique and add massive poundage to your freehand deadlift, as the muscles get used to the motion of lifting heavy weights without the stress and danger of lifting more than you can safely handle unassisted.

Cut your reps. Some champion deadlifters only lift two or three times in a training session. Overtraining can cause sever muscle damage and often leads to a decrease in performance. Start training by repping significantly less than your maximum, and use a steep pyramid training structure to get the best results.

By following the advice above, you should start seeing an improvement in your lift within a few weeks. Just remember to be sensible, focus on your technique, and always train with a friend who is willing to point out your mistakes.

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