Day of the Dead

…..Lifts that is 

I love deadlifts. I love the way they make me feel strong and the way they make me ache like hell the next day. I think I’d go as far as to say they are my favourite of the big three. The big three being the powerlifting exercises: deadlifts, bench press and squats. Honestly if I could just do these everyday I would but I’d be built like a brick shithouse under an unsightly layer of padding. 

They really work lots of muscles too. This includes muscles of the entire back, core, hips and thighs. That is a lot of muscles. It can be quite difficult to get the correct/safe form and I don’t for one second think mine is perfect but I would like to think it is at least safe. The way I think about it is knees hip width apart,  arms shoulder width apart, full hip flexion, shoulders back, don’t round my back, minimal knee flexion and lift. It’s good to get someone to show you and spot you a few times. We don’t want any back injuries due to poor technique. 

I started off with quite a low weight but I’m pleased to say that today I managed a PB of 65kg and I did 4 reps. Woo. I felt the effects straight away too. I’m really finess focussed (though, I probably ought to be PhD focussed) at the moment so I’m hoping to improve these numbers too. 

🧳 UNPACKED

The Love Affair: Deadlifts = favourite of the big three (deadlifts, bench press, squats). Make you feel strong, ache like hell the next day. Would do them every day if I wouldn’t end up “built like a brick shithouse under an unsightly layer of padding.”

Why They’re Brilliant: Work entire back, core, hips, thighs. Loads of muscles in one movement.

Form Basics: Knees hip-width, arms shoulder-width, full hip flexion, shoulders back, don’t round back, minimal knee flexion, lift. Get someone to show you and spot you first – back injuries from poor technique aren’t worth it.

The Progress: PB of 65kg for 4 reps. Started low, working up safely.

Worth Knowing: Form matters more than weight. Start light, get it right, then progress.