For years, the deadlift has been the most feared exercise among bodybuilders, while it's been praised among powerlifters. But, what people sometimes forget is that the deadlift determines your strength and is a mass builder.
Finnish bodybuilders and powerlifters use the deadlift because it's the true strength builder. The reason people might not do the deadlift is because of back injuries, might make a physique blocky, or they just don't want to do it.
To me, the deadlift is my best exercise and I love it. I won't do a workout program without it, because without it, it becomes a missing link. I believe that highly in it.
At first, beginners will think that the deadlift is much easier than the squat or bench press. But after a few weeks, they will love it or hate it. Nothing comes easy. And this is true when you talk about the deadlift. Reason why? Because the deadlift effects so much.
Completing The Deadlift
When you do the deadlift, it hits the back, the lats, the quads, the glutes, the arms and forearms, and even the abs. Which proves that the deadlift produces more results than the bench press and the squats.
Every time you do the deadlift, you get stronger. The feeling of getting stronger is the reason why I like the exercise other than the bench press and the squats. Not only are you getting stronger on the deadlifts, but you are also getting mentally stronger.
The mental aspect plays a big part in the deadlift. When I go to deadlift, I tell myself that I am going to pull that weight, no matter what. Sometimes this is another reason why people don't do the deadlift; because it requires mental power which invites hard work.
Enthusiasm from others can make a difference, maybe even a big difference, in your deadlift. But it all starts from believing you can do the lift. Like the bench press and the squat, there are variations. You can do the deadlift with dumbbells (Stiff-Leg Dumbbell Deadlift). Just by assuming the same position as you would if you were using the bar.
The Benefits
You can also use power racks for partial deadlifts (Smith Machine Stiff-Leg Deadlift) which is beneficial for you deadlift. You can do more weight on the partials and the more weight you do, the more you can do on the regular deadlift. Also the more weight you do on either dumbbell deadlifts or partial deadlifts helps your mental strength also.
For instance, if your max on the deadlift is 400, and you do partials with 420, try 405 the next time you max. But remember, both your mental and physical strength can make you move that 405. The deadlift is a great exercise for both powerlifters and bodybuilders. For powerlifters, it can make them stronger and even help them in the squat.
For bodybuilders, it can pack on size and strength. Look at pro bodybuilders Mike Francois and Marko Savolainen. You would notice that they have one thing in common, both have mass and thickness.
For any avid weight trainer, it can determine how strong they are. In other parts of the world, you would be asked how much you can deadlift. But here, people ask you how much you can bench or squat, not knowing that you true strength lies in deadlifts only.
But just like the squat or the bench press, they require just as much work, both mentally and physically. And if you can, try to enjoy it a little. Pulling heavy weight can be a great mental boost. The deadlift can do a lot, that's why it should be important.