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Deadlift form

by Charlie
(South Carolina, USA)

Does the proper form for a deadlift use bent knees or straight knees? If the knees should be straight, then is that not too much stress on the lower back?

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Deadlift form

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Apr 17, 2008
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by: Anonymous

Hi Charlie,

Thanks for your question. There are several variations of the deadlift from "straight-leg" to sumo and tons in between.

There may be some debate, but what I've seen to be the most effective for myself and for my clients and athletes is keeping a slight bend in the knees. That way, yes, some of the load will be specific to the lower back, but it will also be shared by the quadriceps which control knee extension.

This isn't to say that the deadlift is a quadricep exercise. The deadlift itself should be viewed as a posterior chain exercise using the musculature of the back of the body.

If you are unsure if your form or technique is up to par, grab a certified Personal Trainer or Strength Coach at your gym just to be on the safe side.

The deadlift is one of my favorite exercises and I'll still have other Personal Trainers take a look just to make sure that I'm not cheating!

Thanks again for your question,
Boh

David I. Bohmiller, BS, NSCA-CSCS
President/Owner
My Personal Trainer School, LLC

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