I’ve read Eric Cressey’s great deadlifting articles, along with just about every other deadlift article I could find here, and with everything I’ve read, you should have somewhat of a 45 degree angle with your hips. Anytime I’ve tried deadlifting away from this style, my lower back has been out of commission for a while afterwards.
I see these guys in my local gym that are deadlifting with a rounded back, very little bend in their knees, and rocking back excessively at the top. I’m just wondering, is there something I’m missing? How does someone deadlift like this and not rip apart their lower back?
[quote]nym75 wrote:
I’ve read Eric Cressey’s great deadlifting articles, along with just about every other deadlift article I could find here, and with everything I’ve read, you should have somewhat of a 45 degree angle with your hips. Anytime I’ve tried deadlifting away from this style, my lower back has been out of commission for a while afterwards.
I see these guys in my local gym that are deadlifting with a rounded back, very little bend in their knees, and rocking back excessively at the top. I’m just wondering, is there something I’m missing? How does someone deadlift like this and not rip apart their lower back? [/quote]
How far away is the bar from your shins. I think I had mine too far away for a while and was using too much lower back. Now I have my shins almost touching the bar (some recommend touching) and I noticed my form and lower back does not take as much of a hit.
Some people would argue that the best form is what gets the most weight. I tend to agree with them, especialy toward the top end where form breaks down and the goal is to move the most weight.
My best guesse would be to practice good form as heavy as you can, then when you get near max and let it all hang out, a little breakdown is acceptable.