Deadlifts (Barbell)

There are many useful considerations to keep in mind when doing deadlifts. They are:

• Deadlifts are part of the power-lifting triumvirate; that is, they are one of three exercises that power-lifters do in competition.
  *Note that in competitions only overhand gripping (classic gripping) of the bar is allowed
• If you aren't using wrist straps (wrist straps are fabric straps that allow for heavier lifting by reducing stress put on the fingers and forearms) but still want to keep your grip when lifting a heavier weight, you can alternate your grip (using an, aptly titled, "alternate grip" or "reverse power grip") so that one hand is overhand (palm facing you) and one is underhand (palm facing away). This grip method can also be used in conjunction with wrist straps to further increase the amount of weight that can be held. It's effective for primarily two reasons: one is that it keeps the bar from rolling and the other is that it aids the thumbs in keeping their grip better. The latter reason is explained by the fact that with both hands in an overhand grip there are 8 fingers on one side of the bar and only the 2 thumbs remaining on the other. Whereas, with one hand in an overhand grip and the other in an underhand grip there are 5 fingers on each side of the bar. Thus, the thumbs have help.
• The bar cannot be gripped too hard. The better your grip is the more power and control you will feel. Not to mention, a good grip is conducive to being able to focus on lift form and the muscles involved.
• To the greatest degree possible, the power to deadlift the weight should be generated from the quads and glutes. This is not to say that the lower back will not become involved in the lift because it most definitely will. The greater the weight that one attempts the more involvement the lumbars will likely have.
• Notice that proper breathing for this exercise is different than many others. The inhaled breath is held, while at the same time contracting the abdominal muscles (and lower back muscles, if possible - many people find conscious contraction of these muscles difficult), so that a body "block" is created. Below is a description of how to achieve a "block".

A "Block" or "Blocking":
Blocking is used to create a rigid core. A rigid core both improves strength and helps to prevent injury. It is best utilized and absolutely recommended whenever heavy weights are involved. The goal of blocking is to keep rounding of the back (vertebral flexion) at bay. There are 3 aspects to achieving a block. They are:

1. Deeply inhale prior to the effort and hold this inhalation until the end of the effort. Deep inhalation causes chest expansion by filling the lungs with oxygen. This prevents the chest from collapsing forward when the body is being subjected to heavy weight-lifting.
2. Contract the abdominal muscles throughout the effort. The increased intra-abdominal pressure enhances core support by essentially preventing the torso from collapsing forward.
3. Contract the lumbar (lower back) muscles. This keeps a slight arch in the lower back. The point is to keep the spinal column in extension.