Conventional Deadlift Technique

September 15th, 2014 by

 

Cues to help you improve your Conventional Deadlift technique:

– Start with feet hip to shoulder width apart, and shins close to the bar. You want feet to be planted firmly on the floor. I personally like to use some type of minimus shoes when deadlifting, or barefoot works too, as I feel more stable.

– Hands should be positioned right outside of the legs. I suggest using a double overhand grip until it starts to give out, then switch to a hook grip (the grip you would use with Olympic lifts). If you are repping out the deadlifts, you could also use straps or Versa Gripps to help with grip.

– Take a deep breath before going down to the bar to start your lift. You want to keep that breath held throughout the pull, as that helps to stabilize the torso and protect your spine. Exhale when you reach the top of the movement.

– As you pull the weight, be sure to drive your feet downward into the floor. Don’t let the hips come up too quickly. As you reach the top of the movement, drive the hips forward to follow through.

– When letting the weight back down, control the weight rather than letting the bar drop to the floor.

I think that covers most of the basics. :)