On paper, the deadlift is about as straightforward as it gets: Pick the bar up and put it back down. But don't judge a book by its cover, because the deadlift comes loaded with nuances. Here are two common deadlift mistakes:
Let's fix those problems with these drills.
This helps you initiate the deadlift with your hips. Your hips travel horizontally during deadlifts (back and forth), as opposed to vertically during squats (up and down).
Many lifters initiate the deadlift by pushing their knees forward instead of pushing their hips back. This isn't an ideal set-up because:
This one helps teach you to keep the bar close and engage your lats.
Every compound lift incorporates both primary and secondary supporters to perform optimally. During deadlifts, one of the primary supporters are the lats. They allow you to maintain close contact with the bar throughout your deadlift.
One of the biggest issues (and biggest reasons chiros have thriving businesses) is letting the bar drift away from your body. The further away you are from the bar, the shittier it is for your spine. If you like lifting and want to continue doing it, you don't want that to happen.
The best, strongest deadlifts are when you keep the bar as close to your body as possible. This drill teaches you to keep the bar close to your body and maintain lat engagement.
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