Deadlift

Deadlift develops whole-body pulling strength by lifting a load from the floor through coordinated knee and hip extension.

Primary muscle

Glutes

Primary musclesGluteus maximus, Hamstrings, Erector spinae

Secondary musclesHip adductors, Quadriceps, Latissimus dorsi, Forearms

Equipment

Barbell

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How to perform Deadlift

Follow the sequence in order, paying attention to the starting position, movement path, and finish described in each step.

For Deadlift, set the bar over the middle of the feet, take a secure grip, and create tension before the load leaves the floor.
Brace around the trunk, set the shoulders, and keep the load close before it leaves the floor.
Create tension through the bar, keep the load over the mid-foot, and prepare to raise the shoulders and hips together.
Push through the floor and raise the shoulders and hips together while keeping the weight close to the body.
Drive through the floor and bring the hips forward to stand tall without leaning back, then reverse the path under control when the exercise begins from standing.

Common Deadlift mistakes

Rounding to gain range

Stop the hinge or floor pull before the spine rounds; more depth is not useful when position changes.

Load moving away

Keep the weight close to the legs so the glutes and hamstrings do most of the work.

Losing whole-foot pressure

Do not rock onto the toes or heels. Keep the load balanced over the middle of each foot.

Rushing the reversal

Control the transition and avoid bouncing out of the bottom or jerking the load from the floor.

When to modify or choose another exercise

Rounding to gain range: Stop the hinge or floor pull before the spine rounds; more depth is not useful when position changes.
Losing whole-foot pressure: Do not rock onto the toes or heels. Keep the load balanced over the middle of each foot.
Stop when the exercise produces sharp, catching, radiating, or increasing joint pain rather than the expected muscular effort.
Alternative Dowel hip hinge: Keep a dowel in contact with the head, upper back, and pelvis while learning to send the hips backward.

How to use Deadlift in a training program

Where it fits in a session

Use Deadlift early in a workout focused on glutes, or early in a full-body workout, when strength or technical progress is the priority; place it later when it supplies secondary volume.

How often to use it

Use one to three times per week as part of training the relevant muscle groups at least twice weekly; the same exercise does not need to appear in every session.

Starting rep ranges by goal

Goal	Sets	Reps or time	Rest	Effort and execution
Strength	2–4	3–6	2–4 min	Heavy, usually 2–3 clean reps in reserve
Muscle growth	2–4	6–12	90–180 sec	Usually 1–3 clean reps in reserve

Pairing and sequencing

Follow Deadlift with Bulgarian Split Squats or Seated Leg Curls for additional leg training.
Place grip-intensive work such as Barbell Bent Over Rows after the hinge only when the hands and back can remain controlled.

Scale the movement