[quote]belligerent wrote:
I think the injury risk only becomes an issue when you get into really big poundages.[/quote]
As with most exercises, there’s a certain increase in risk with bigger weights. I have to say though, that most of the really serious deadlift related injuries seem to be at low weights and caused by shitty form. Sure, the big pullers can get beat up or strain a muscle, but serious injuries seem to be somewhat rare. On the other hand, there’s plenty of people who crack their back with peanut weights because their back looked like a cheese doodle.
This is just what I have observed. All in all I consider deadlift to be a pretty safe exercise as long as you go about it the right way and use good form. It is also my favorite exercise so to answer the OP I will say “Deadlift: Yes!”