[quote]hareboll wrote:
So, this advice will go against what everyone else is saying, but I feel I must say it. If you want to know how much you can deadlift, KEEP ADDING WEIGHT AND FIND OUT! It would be best to have someone who has good form look after you and make sure you aren’t going to hurt yourself, but why not push it?
I do think that technique is huge and I do agree that immediately after you find out said max you pick lighter weights and really just work on form because it is key (I probably lifted too heavy too much as a beginner and didn’t work on enough form.) But to be honest, the deadlift isn’t that fancy of a movement.
Encyclopedias of information can be written about proper deadlift form to get the absolute most amount of weight out of the lift, but for you and your build (and goals), as long as your back is straight and mostly vertical, you are probably fine. Imagine it this way, would sprinters first ask, “Hey, about how fast do you think I should be running?” “I just started to learn how to run, I’m gonna keep it slow for a while and just jog.”
In that analogy of course the sprinters would slow down and learn proper technique for a while before peaking, but jesus, I’m sure they just straight sprinted once in the beginning to see what they could do.
Who knows, maybe one of t-nations authors will come on here and straighten me out, but for christ’s sakes, grow some balls, put some effort into lifting and just do it. Pick something up![/quote]
I know what you are saying and you have point, for sure. But, since i do not really lift with anyone i was more curious as to what most people who do DL started with, not so much form ( if i drop a fork on the floor i have learned to “pull” it :). I will be picking something up tommorow and i’ll see what happens.
Well I’m 160 pounds and just today I deadlifted 225, so 2 45 pound plates on each side…
But don’t let that get you, I had to work up to it, once you build a stronger core it will be easier, so if it doesnt feel comfortable your core may not be strong enough.
So yeah warm up or w/e and try 25 pounds on each side, it shouldn’t be too difficult. Then if your comfortable move up, and just keep increasing weight in a safe way. I, too , have long arms but Deadlift is one of my favorites.
[quote]dillinger wrote:
hareboll wrote:
So, this advice will go against what everyone else is saying, but I feel I must say it. If you want to know how much you can deadlift, KEEP ADDING WEIGHT AND FIND OUT! It would be best to have someone who has good form look after you and make sure you aren’t going to hurt yourself, but why not push it?
I disagree here. If the OP is just starting to do deadlifts, I think it would be a mistake to try and max out right away. I think he should go for reps with whatever weight he is comfortable at for a few workouts so his body can become accustomed to the movement, then try and max out.
Risk of injury would be too high to go all out from the get go IMO.[/quote]
the first time I deadlifted I went for a max and the time after than and so on for a couple workouts my deadlift went from 295 to 350 in like 3 weeks
Yeah, the loads increased rather quickly once I got used to the actual movement.
I still warm-up with 135 and then work my way up. You’ll be in the 200’s before you know it. Just so you know, I can rep 255 now. My goal is 315 by the end of March.
(To the vets, I know these are light #'s but hell, at least I’m honest)
The beautiful thing about deads for a newbie is they freakin’ add mass like crazy. I had muscles (albeit small ones) popping out everywhere from deads and squats. Your back will thicken up like crazy.
A word of caution, several times I got ahead of myself in my zeal and strained my back. Nothing serious but it put me off deads for a week each time.
I think the thing that helped me with deads the most is GOOD MORNINGS.
Do them, they will help stregthen your back and prevent injuries.
To the other poster who said they hurt his chin/pull up reps. I experienced the same thing.
Couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t progressing with chins. Then it hit me.
I went from body weight 195-230lb. I’m such a genius. (sarcasm)
Good luck, and lift safe.
Some of the other guys might be right and you should just go for the heavy weights but you will probably get just as much out of higher volume and medium intensity when you first start. IMHO.
One serious injury and you could be screwed long term.
the first time I deadlifted I went for a max and the time after than and so on for a couple workouts my deadlift went from 295 to 350 in like 3 weeks[/quote]
I’m genuinely impressed. Had you already been lifting regularly before that (just not deads)?
That would make me feel better if that is the case.
I gotta agree with you. At 180ish pounds 225 is a good starting place. Even for starting off or doing some 40 rep deadlift workout (saw it on YouTUBE - I don’t actually support it) it really doesn’t make sense to deadlift less than your bodyweight. If you can stand up out of a chair chances are you can pull your bodyweight easy.
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Nothing personal but getting out of a chair and deadlifting 225lb is not even close to being comparable.
I’m pretty much in the samne situation as the OP. About the same size and just starting to DL. I’ve been using the bar with 25’s to work on form. To me it seems like having to start lower is helping my flexibility which I’d think is a good thing.