Im having a problem deadlifting. Im really trying, but i cant get the form right, im 6’6" with long legs and arms. Everytime i come up, it seems like the bar gets hooked under my shins, like at the knee and i have to lean forward to bring it up over my knees. That puts all the weight on my back, i really dont want to hurt myself. I asked the owner of the gym i go to to help me out. He tried, showed me the form and shit, but hes like 5’3". Does height and limb length make a difference? Or am I just fucking it up somewhere. Ive read the posts before and looked up the info on the site, i just cant seem to get it right. I tried grabbing the bar out wide, like a few inches past the grooves, so the bar didnt hang as low, but when i go down, it sits on my quads. Which puts the strain on my hams, but its not the right form, i wanna do it right…thanks to anyone who can help me
Shit. And i thought it was only me!!
At 6’4’’ myself, I don’t have any problem with the deadlift even if I got 38’'sleeves! Read “the deadzone” by Dave Tate and Question of Power(?) by Ian King about proper technique. Mr. Tate is more interested by the # of weight moved while Mr. King seems to be more interested in athletic transfer. You’ll have to experiment and find the right spot. That’s your job!
Oh, BTW, the deadlift is supposed to work the hamstrings so don’t panic if you feel them working. And long arms will help as it will help you to be more erect, it will reduce the strain on the lower back.
My 2 cents,
-LPdSB
I’m also tall (6’3") and have experienced things similar to you. My advice would be to start with a light weight and do partials in the power rack from just above knee level. Next workout, pull from just below knees. Next workout, pull from mid shin. Take another step if you need to and then finally pull from the ground. Deadlifts are hard for people that are taller, but they can be done right. When you pull from the floor, you really have to sit back. Use the legs to get it to the knee level and then thrust hips forward and extend your back and finish the pull. Remember to go light until you have the motion down. A few weeks or months of light lifting and proper technique development will mean years and years of deadlifting heavy weights. It does not work the other way around.
definitely consider sumo deadlifts (wide stance). this puts less pressure on your discs than conventional or snatch grip.
If you can get access to one, I highly recommend a trap bar for deadlifts. I’m only 5’8", and I still swear by it. I know a lot of NBA players use it, most notably Antonio Davis (who, might I add, is BIG).
I think it was Stronski who wrote a step-by-step method to deadlifting a while back. I’m 6’6" and used it successfully. Maybe perform a search or he’ll re-post it if he’s out there.
Don’t give me that shit the guy with the biggest deadlift EVER (931lbs) is Gary Heisey. At the time, he was 6’6" & ~370 so don’t anyone tell me anyone’s too tall to deadlift. Mark Henry is another 900lb deadlifter, he’s 6’3"-6’4". Bill Kazmaier is 6’4" & his best lift in a contest was almost 900, 887 or something. Read anything by Westside or Dave Tate & do everything they say. The only difference I can think of for a taller guy is squat down a bit more.
Sorry if I sounded like a butthole, I just don’t like hearing excuses for not doing a real worthwile lift. Just read everything by Dave Tate, experiment a little like the others said & you’ll do fine.
I agree with Jason N. on this. I am training a guy that is 6’8. And he is doing deadlifts just fine it was tough at first but lighten the weight to ge the form down… Then as you get the form the weight will come. By the way if you are doing Deadlifts it is primarily working your lower back and hamstrings! If you are doing stiff legged deads you are concentrating it more on the hamstrings but you will get the low back involved…
Tall guys usually deadlift better so keep working at it and work on getting you’re ass back(stick it out). Also keep a tight arch and think about pulling backwards and pressing the floor down. I like to use an alternate grip, but thats a personal thing and not too important until the weights get big.