Anyone else think deadlifts are overrated?

[webcake]

I wouldn't say they're overrated, but i dont do traditional DL, i prefer SLDL. Now thats an exercise i swear by

[PANDAEMONIUM]

I wouldn't say they're overrated, but i dont do traditional DL, i prefer SLDL. Now thats an exercise i swear by

SL's are great.  Every now and then I do traditional DLs to stay in the routine, but these days I swear by PCs and heavy ass rack pulls for low reps.

[webcake]

SL's are great.  Every now and then I do traditional DLs to stay in the routine, but these days I swear by PCs and heavy ass rack pulls for low reps.

Yeah, i made the mistake of always going lighter on SLDL, now i go heavier with lower reps and the results speak for themselves (strength, size). I havent actually done PC before, but with my shoulder the way it is right now they're probably not the best thing at the moment.

[pumpster]

now i go heavier with lower reps and the results speak for themselves (strength, size).

Excellent; on the other hand you've significantly increased your probability of injury. The cost/benefit potential of DLs is different. Not that an injury happen some never get injured, but the probabilities are different.

If you get injured from heavy deads you're likely looking at something significant, because the weight and stress are (1) much more centered on the vertabrae, and (2) all flow through just one point of flexion, rather than 2 or 3 as with other heavy lifts. Which means that injury there affects teh back, at the center of the body's overall function.

[CalvinH]

I gotta admit that I've been slacking in doing deadlifts.
that being said there's something really cool when after doing deads for a while, being able to touch your lower back and feeling the muscle that grew.
haha,it just feels like a slab of muscle

[local hero]

deadlifts are great.. got to agree with the injury factor tho... ive tore a hamstring and ive seen plenty backs go.. the problem is , if your a half decent trainer youl soon be up to 4 or 5 plates easy, and its a haevy toll week after week..

[davie]

Iv been doing heavy deads once every 2 weeks, after warm-ups stretching etc, i do one set heavy as i can for 12 good reps....add another 20Kg's and go for one set 6 reps.

Iv suffered from sciatica in the past and get pains every now and again, i trying to focus on squatting donw deep to start the rep, and i wear a belt, i think  this and higher rep SLDL's have helped my lower back.

davie

[local hero]

ive got to add, the best ive ever looked is when i was deadlifting heavy consistantly... and its the only lift that wasnt affected when i came off gear, presses and squats would go down, deads would be a rep or 2 short of what i would to juiced

[BDMlift]

overrated maybe to some. love the results they give and i know ive hit my back hard when i do them.

[Deicide]

Why do I feel that I have better form when I go very heavy than when I say do 15 reps?

Am I imagining it?

[l_c0llins]

Why do I feel that I have better form when I go very heavy than when I say do 15 reps?

Am I imagining it?

No, not at all.

It`s because the smaller muscles of the lower back are still relatively fresh in a lower rep set compared to the larger (hip flexors, hamstrings, spinal erectors etc.) so you can still keep the correct (lordotic?) curvature of the lower spine. Being able to keep your abs flexed over a full diaphragm to support you spine from the other side can only help. Your grip will be less of a limiting factor too, so you can forgo the wrist straps & benefit you forearms some.

I always keep to low reps in good, tight form with ~ 70-85% of 1RM & add more sets rather than higher reps with less. I do to all the big lifts in fact.

[Geo]

Why do I feel that I have better form when I go very heavy than when I say do 15 reps?

Am I imagining it?

with heavy reps you're simple forced to think each rep through more...(more than likely)



with heavier reps my mind tends to race

[ConanCarl]

Anyone have hernia problems-I do-not major but enough that I cant do heavy ones-but I do moderate Romanian style which doesnt use a squat motion

[mesmorph78]

nope deadlifts are key
gives you a big back.. great traps as well

[webcake]

Just did some SLDL this morning. They were awesome

[tonymctones]

I added to my last post, take a look. I don't think the risks and stresses on those other exercises, which are multi-joint compound exercises, are the same. With DLs you've essentially got all the stress running through the vertabrae using only one fulcrum, only one point bearing the weight. DLs are barely a compound exercise; closer to an isolation movement, given that all the pressure & stress passing through a sole point of flexion on the lower back.

Add in the fact that i think the benefits aren't as great, factoring in substitutes for it.

On any exercise where heavier weights are possible i'd say stay away from low reps with heavy weights, which increases risk and isn't optimal for muscle development anyway.

Combine risk and benefit and you've got a different potential cost/benefit from DLs.

Some people just aren't susceptible to injury, and can handle good weight on any exercise wihtout getting injured. That doesn't mean that others won't get injured though.

I maybe uniformed but I was under the impression that conventional deads are a multi joint exercise, like squats. Yes your lower back is the fulcrom but you also have your hips and knees that should be in the equation, SLDL yes its all on your back but if conventional preformed with good form its not all on your back...right?

[Geo]

I maybe uniformed but I was under the impression that conventional deads are a multi joint exercise,

they are....

you need to take what pumpster says with a grain of salt...

if it's not what he's willing to do,then in his mind they're simply not worth doing....

you're either tough enough to pick up something heavy every week or you're not...


heavy deads ain't for pussies

[Cap]

The thing with deads that I have seen is that most, myself included, don't cycle the weights and reps which leads to injury.  Most supervised athletes will go untouched with regards to simple lifts like this.  Add ancillary lifts like a power clean, rack deads and good mornings, and you should be good.

[haider]

for bodybuilding purposes I'd say it is indeed overrated. Just keep your SLDL's heavy and you don't need additional deadlift work for your "back". Also remember that you get plenty of lower back work from Squats and Rows as well.

JMO.

[MB]

Insert Quote
The thing with deads that I have seen is that most, myself included, don't cycle the weights and reps which leads to injury.  Most supervised athletes will go untouched with regards to simple lifts like this.  Add ancillary lifts like a power clean, rack deads and good mornings, and you should be good.

Doing them once per week was too much for me and led to injury.  I agree that cycling is key.  The lower back takes a long time to recover, so replacing deads with hypers or cleans on alternate weeks is a good idea.       

[Gym dude]

nope deadlifts are key
gives you a big back.. great traps as well

[chaos]

How do you deadlift on a bowflex?



Deadlifts are awesome, do them every other week.

[Geo]

How do you deadlift on a bowflex?

pretty sure you could poke someones eye out if you're not careful

[heavyNbasic]

Not sure how some of you guys are doing deads, but either way the main joint involved is the hips, not lower back.  The lower back in not a joint, and shouldn't be activated like one, but kept tight and straight (slightly arched).  If you are attempting to use the lower back as a joint, you're gonna be in a wheelchair soon.  The leverage should be transfered throught the hips, not spine.  If your back begins to round at all during the lift, you're using too much weight.  DLs (not SLDL) are def a multijoint exercise; ankles, knees, hips, shoulders for that matter.  

I think the biggest risks associated with DL's are damage from spinal compression and torn biceps.  Both are caused by improper form and technique, as well as too much weight.  Best to keep midsection and lower back tight, chest out and head up, and knees behind bar with feet flat on floor.  I prefer to hold my breath until the bar passes the knees, then exhale.  I believe it prevents me from busting a gut.  Not straps and no belt.  

I don't think deads are overated.  It's an awesome exercise for developing the posterior chain, as long as people take the time to do them properly before jumping into heavy weight for low reps.  They can be dangerous if done half-assed, but so can any type of lift.  

[jpm101]

I don't think DL's are overrated but they can be improperly used. Some thing like the squat is.  Both are great muscle mass producing movements, though some people are just not designed for those lifts. Sumo, Bulgarian, Russian, etc styles, in the long run, may not serve anyones needs in preforming an injury free DL'ing workout. If pure BB'ing is the goal than there are other outstanding exercises for the total back area, rather than DL'ing. If PL'ing is the name of the game, than there is no getting around it, DL's are a must.

I agree, for the most part, with HeavyNbasic. If the pelvic girdle/hips and knee's (both major joints) are in correct position, than less pressure in allowed on the lower back area. (even ankle flexabilty/stretch can come into play) The force of the lift will be in balance more. Problem being, that most lifters lean to far forward at the start to mid range of the lift.(more like doing SLDL's)  And do not nearly go deep enough in the full squat position at the start. They do not take full advantage of the hip/knees leverage and strength. That's where injury can come in. Keeping the spine/back and ab wall tight/straight, chest out and shoulders back with the neck/head up slightly will also help in getting a good set in. And with the bar close to the body at all times.

Remember that you are just holding the bar and keeping the upper body stable while the hip/legs are the actually driving power to the full standing position. The lower back need not be a major factor but a contributing  factor in the DL. Good Luck.