So this is a thread about deadlifts and your experience with them, whether you've never done them and want to try, done them once and hated it, or are the world deadlift champion. If you do not know what a deadlift is or want more information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadlift. Voila!

So i was working out last saturday and i was working out with my buddy and we decided to do deadlifts, i had never done them before. So we pull out a bar and throw 45 Lbs and each side (135 total and start doing some deadlifts) and do some deadlifts. As I'm doing them I feel it in my legs and back. I wasn'[t doing them wrong, it just seemed like a lot of weight and I was getting that good burning feeling at my 7/8 rep. So i did 4 sets, and continued doing other workouts.

I woke up the next morning, and fuck my back and legs were sore. It felt like the first time I had ever worked out I was so sore. The next morning the same. ETc. I'm writing this on thursday and this is the first day my back hasn't been sore.

So I want to continue doing deadlifts becuase I have a feeling that soreness indicates that they really built a lot of new muscle (it was soreness, not pain) but I don't want this trend of waiting 4 days to go to the gym because of soreness to continue. Any advice, opinions, or related experiences (Gamer, I know you do deadlifts with that scary back)?

Man deadlifts are amazing. They help you improve your squat, power clean, bench, core, basically everything.

I haven't done them in a while (since like February of this year, but we'll be starting them up again as soon as football season is over). I was doing 4x8 at 235lbs back then, but I'm sure I'll be doing wayyy more now, as I'm squatting 4x8 of 235+lbs.

They're amazinggg.

deadlifts are pretty good i dont feel sore from them that much since my body used to doing that exercise

Obligatory back pic




I love(d) deadlifts, but as most of you are probably aware from my constant complaining, I've had chronic knee problems all my life and was forced to give up deadlifts, along with squats, in April of this year. That said, just last week the Army called me up to do some fitness tests (I'm on medical deferral for a year but they like to keep checking up on me to see I'm keeping myself fit) and I had to do deadlifts. I was hooked up to some kind of high tech machine and it was a single rep at best effort. I swear, I damn near killed myself trying. I could feel how red I was going and I could see every vein in my body looking like it was about to burst. I was making all sorts of funny noises. I glanced up to see the officers looking surprised and that only made me pull a little bit more. I hit 178kg - that's 392 pounds. I'm incredibly pleased with that as when I was deadlifting last year I seldom went over 100kg (220lbs, but I was doing lots of reps).

When (if) my knee heals, I can't wait to start deadlifting again because it's such a brilliant exercise. It's one of the few sessions where I actually feel stronger afterwards. Stronger all over.

Like gamer alluded to, the pain after sessions will become less and less noticeable as your body adjusts to them (man, I must sound like such a windbag because this is pretty much the exact same advice I gave you when you asked about side stitches, heh). If it's any consolation I vividly remember the sore back sensation that accompanied my initial venture into the world of deadlifting...it's not nice but there's something strangely satisfying about it.

I'm assuming your technique is alright too? If not that would be a contributing factor to the soreness. There's like a million deadlift technique videos on youtube so take a look at them even if you're confident in your technique; I'm sure you'll learn something.

well i did them for the fourth time ever on 2 days ago and i was not sore. i only did 165 (im adding 10 pounds every time i do them) but i did like 12 reps etc.

So im thinking that the extreme soreness period is over now that I've done them enough times. And i agree Lee, i feel great after doing deadlifts, it does feel like i've gotten stronger

To bam: I usually only do 3 sets as I'm still new to them. Next time i go to the gym im doing 4 sets of 10 at 185

I hope you mean you did more than just one set of twelve reps, as that won't help you out at all. I'd suggest doing at least four sets if you're going to be doing high reps, less sets is ok of you're doing less reps/more weight.

Hmm, I know I an deadlift 300lbs no problemo but now I want to put 400lbs on next time I go to the gym and see if I can one-up you Lee :P. 400lbs is a lot of weight, though!

edit: nvm, I just reread your first post and saw you're doing 4 sets.

Also, I love that feeling when you're deadlifting or squatting and you pick up the weight and it just feels so heavy, but then you go down (or up for deadlifts) and you can lift it like nothing.

Went to the gym and had my most prolific workout ever. benched 230 once (wrong thread blah blah) and did 4 sets of deadlifts with 205. Back not even sore now, so i think im fully accustomed to them now.

I officially love deadlifts by the way. They are amazing

I'm jealous of your bench!

So I powercleaned 235lbs today, felt super proud of myself. Somebody took a pic of me with the weight up, but it's too close so you can't see all the plates on each side.

I then tried deadlifting 405lbs and it just wasn't going to happen. I think with a proper warmup and everything I could probably do 360 or so, but for now you've got me beat, Lee.

posting updates because i feel like it:

bench 235x2, but when spotting my friend i did something to my forarm so i couldnt do 240 :(.

deadlifts with 225. 9,8,7,7 sets of.

so im finding that deadlifts are so physically demanding that I can't do them two workouts in a row. Even when my workouts are 3 days apart I can't do more than one set because my back isnt fully recouperated yet. not sore, just not 100%. I'm guessing its because i have very weak back muscles so they are growing for a longer time between workouts

and BAM. what exactly is a powerclean (i dont like googling becauase i like hearing it first hand better)

This is a good video of a powerclean:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuB9K9VMHpc

Essentially you're getting into deadlift position, bringing the weight up with your legs only; once your legs are nearly completely extended, you'll begin pulling the weight straight up with your arms. You high pull as hard as you can, and then at the right moment, squat down and get under the bar. You'll flip your wrists, push your elbows forward, and lift your arms up as high as possible so that you're just grabbing the bar with your fingertips as it rests on your shoulders and pecs under your neck. If you're ending it correctly you shouldn't even have to grab it with your hands to keep it up - it should be 100% supported by your body.