Dead Lifting Form.

I'm after some comments on my form as below:

Feet: Just inside shoulder width.
Grip: Overhand but strapped.
Starting position: Hips level with knees, straight back, bar touching shins.

This works for me but just wondering if I could make some improvements.

I've read/heard that hips should be slightly higher in the deadlift, however I have a problem with my back rounding when I do this. Not sure if it's lack of flexibility or what.

Always deadlifted with one hand over and one under.....made sure my shoulder blades were directly over the bar...and then pushed through my knees keeping the bar close to my body..

How I was taught to do it.........

I've watched R.Coleman do his Deadlifts and he goes at them pretty low ie Hip level and explodes up through the lift from this low stance and have tried to copy this style however I'm going to raise my stance slightly and see if this works better, like you say keeping a flat back is vital, the over and under gri[ as Truss suggests is something I don't get on with, it's a good technique as it increases pressure on the bar but I'm afraid it's not for me, must remember to check where my shoulder blades are as this is another good reminder. Thanks...

It's all about finding out which way is most comfortable mate.....

Struggle with my grip when both hands are over..but it's not for everybody..

Truss: I've seen that you're doing decent dead lifts and really over a certain weight the grip becomes a factor... the hands being the weakess link, I don't get on with the over/under as I've said thus the straps, I'd rather not use them as I really want to do all my lifts RAW with the exception of the belt, but there you go....anyway thanks for the advice....

See what you mean about Coleman. But then again Andy Bolton seems to have his hips higher when he lifts. I'm a novice so don't really know the answer.

I'm going with the pronated grip. Until it gives out that is.

Thanks A.V, yes Andy Bolton now he's in a totally different league altogether and doesn't use straps even at over a 1000 lbs for deadlift, watched him deadlift and you're right he does start higher up, talk about hyped before going into a lift now that is inspirational imo, total commitment to success.

Nothing wrong with the pronated grip, most important thing is keeping a straight back on the way up and back down again, keeping the bar as close as possible to your body and imo a real explosion of movement in order to start the movement off, just look at the speed at which Ronnie starts his pulls.

Yeah he's badass. Makes it look pretty easy too.

Yeah Truss man is right.

I tend to have hips quite high, as i find it comfortable, but maybe means im not using my legs as much as i should.

FInd what is comfortable for you.

I also agree you should have one hand over and one under the bar. I prefer chalk to straps, as i feel the straps pulls my wrists to much.

Im DL'ing 225kg, which is a decent lift...but not gonna break any records by any means.

Id say, as a rule, you hips should have a higher position when deadlifting.

Hips low is more of an issue for the squat.

However, that said, many of the pro's have slight tweeks to text book form that helps them move more weight. So, within reason Id say if it works and you're not risking injury (curved back) you're fine.

Personally I favour the alternate grip for anything beyond warm up sets

Hips low is safer you are spreading the weight better and not straining the lower back...

You don't want people in wheelchairs...

pushing through the legs is a stable of proper deadlifting..

Anyone reading don't keep your hips high..Dangerous..

You can listen to Mark Rippetoe, or you can listen to Trussman.

Quite a simple choice really.

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:Anyone reading don't keep your hips high..Dangerous..

"I've never had a lower back injury." Andy Bolton.

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/how_to_pull_1008_pounds_and_make_it_look_easy&cr=

Watch him and Benedikt Magnusson and see how high their hips are. The two best in the world.

Bertil Fox threw weights around and never got injured..

Probably because he had the tendons and bone structure to get away with it..

Form is important when doing these exercises...

You're not advising poor form are you...

I dont think he's advising poor form. I think he's just underlining the fact that a textbook deadlift setup will start with the hips higher than the knees. Which was the original point you disputed.

http://www.crossfitpacificcoast.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/squat-deadlift1.jpg

Here's a good example from Starting Strength, notice the difference in Hip position with Squat Vs Deadlift

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:Form is important when doing these exercises...

Of course it is, that's why we're discussing it.

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:You're not advising poor form are you...

I'm not advising anyone to do anything, just trying to deduce what is good form. You made a statement and I thought it was wrong.

Well we can agree to disagree...

Don't mind anybody disagreeing..

Just have a problem with some of the new people dissing guys like Yates who are great bodybuilders, heavy lifters and in shape...

Most weightlifters are slobs..

Yates was an abuser of steroids. I have respect for natural hard earned strength.

Arnold was a decorated powerlifter long before he turned to bodybuilding. I rate him on his earlier achievements...