I'm 69 and started deadlifting about two years ago. My inspiration is a gent in our gym here in northwest WI who's 86 and just set the state record for the lift in his age group (85-90) at 285, if I recall the number correctly. I was up to 220 by the time of my 67th birthday and was aiming for 300 before a foot injury led to complications that more or less shelved serious training until a few months ago. Now, though, I think 300 by my 70th could be do-able. Thanks for the informative article!
Finally finished this one and looking forward to reading the squat one.
I only started training those two compound lifts with consistency over the last five years and I’ve been able to keep training both even through pregnancy at a lower weight or adjusted rep range. Life changing, truly.
You may not count it because it was with a suit and straps (but the same as Thor and Eddie Hall) but Lucy Underdown from the UK has pulled 325kg as a strongwoman deadlift.
Yeah, it’s a great lift. The 646 from Brianna Terry and 640 from Tamara Walcott (truly a monstrous raw lifter in all respects) are even more impressive
"Heavy bent-over barbell rows and Kroc rows have done wonders for my lats. After years spent with those movements, my back simply doesn’t round." This is helpful - I hurt my lower back earlier this year pulling 425 and have been a bit depressed that I haven't been able to deadlift since.
They’re a huge help even if you’re just doing them while building up to return to deadlifting. The lats are essential for keeping the lower back out of things. So are the hips. You should almost be moving from hips to lats
Hands down, my least favorite lift. I've been powerlifting for a little over three years and only recently surpassed my body weight in deadlifts. But I have come to hate it. It often makes me feel like I'm going to puke or pass out, but I'm too stubborn (or maybe stupid) to stop doing it. Starrett has some useful suggestions in his book for handling the pukey, light-headed feeling, but they don't always work.
I don't think there's anything explicit in the book about light-headedness and nausea, but when I learned to apply his advice on bracing and proper breathing (which you touch on in here), that helped. It also helps to be well-rested, because when I'm tired, I fall back on bad habits. For whatever reason, it wasn't obvious to me to engage my diaphragm when I started doing deadlift reps.
Yes, breathing and tightness change everything, but if you’re drowsy, do something else entirely. The squat and deadlift are the lifts to do as well rested as you possibly can be
Fantastic piece! Today's program calls for a heavy single pull so this article set the vibe for the day. Thank you.
The deadlift is my favorite lift. It's so dang satisfying. I hear all these people talking about "Hey, now. You're in your 40s. The risk of the deadlift isn't worth it." Still pulling heavy. As long as you're not stupid about it, you're fine.
And love "taking care of business" section. It's a catch phrase that me and my son use. A few years ago, he started asking me "Dad, do you mean business?" "Heck, yeah I mean business, son."
Now we get into these discussions when we're out and about as to which people look like they mean business. You can tell who means business and who doesn't. We've also discovered there are guys out there who think they mean business, but don't mean business. According to my 15 year old, Andrew Tate thinks he means business but does not in fact mean business.
Thanks, this came for me on deadlift day. Just wrapped up in the gym. Nice to think about it while doing that work.
Here for it. Get ready for a month of the physical writings
I'm 69 and started deadlifting about two years ago. My inspiration is a gent in our gym here in northwest WI who's 86 and just set the state record for the lift in his age group (85-90) at 285, if I recall the number correctly. I was up to 220 by the time of my 67th birthday and was aiming for 300 before a foot injury led to complications that more or less shelved serious training until a few months ago. Now, though, I think 300 by my 70th could be do-able. Thanks for the informative article!
This guy is a seventysomething inspiration of mine. Really great work from Rudy: https://www.instagram.com/p/C5e1lpjAe6P/?igsh=MWdjeG5ocGtvdndwbA==
Finally finished this one and looking forward to reading the squat one.
I only started training those two compound lifts with consistency over the last five years and I’ve been able to keep training both even through pregnancy at a lower weight or adjusted rep range. Life changing, truly.
Very helpful for performance in other sports/fitness activities or just daily life if done right!
You may not count it because it was with a suit and straps (but the same as Thor and Eddie Hall) but Lucy Underdown from the UK has pulled 325kg as a strongwoman deadlift.
Yeah, it’s a great lift. The 646 from Brianna Terry and 640 from Tamara Walcott (truly a monstrous raw lifter in all respects) are even more impressive
Very cool piece!
"Heavy bent-over barbell rows and Kroc rows have done wonders for my lats. After years spent with those movements, my back simply doesn’t round." This is helpful - I hurt my lower back earlier this year pulling 425 and have been a bit depressed that I haven't been able to deadlift since.
They’re a huge help even if you’re just doing them while building up to return to deadlifting. The lats are essential for keeping the lower back out of things. So are the hips. You should almost be moving from hips to lats
Hands down, my least favorite lift. I've been powerlifting for a little over three years and only recently surpassed my body weight in deadlifts. But I have come to hate it. It often makes me feel like I'm going to puke or pass out, but I'm too stubborn (or maybe stupid) to stop doing it. Starrett has some useful suggestions in his book for handling the pukey, light-headed feeling, but they don't always work.
What does he say to do? I've fortunately been spared that but other people - maybe even some readers here - have mentioned it.
I don't think there's anything explicit in the book about light-headedness and nausea, but when I learned to apply his advice on bracing and proper breathing (which you touch on in here), that helped. It also helps to be well-rested, because when I'm tired, I fall back on bad habits. For whatever reason, it wasn't obvious to me to engage my diaphragm when I started doing deadlift reps.
Yes, breathing and tightness change everything, but if you’re drowsy, do something else entirely. The squat and deadlift are the lifts to do as well rested as you possibly can be
Maybe you're right. Pride goeth before you pass out in the gym.
Fantastic piece! Today's program calls for a heavy single pull so this article set the vibe for the day. Thank you.
The deadlift is my favorite lift. It's so dang satisfying. I hear all these people talking about "Hey, now. You're in your 40s. The risk of the deadlift isn't worth it." Still pulling heavy. As long as you're not stupid about it, you're fine.
I'm a feet close together with upper back slightly rounded guy like Vince Anello: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D3lAnZklM4
And love "taking care of business" section. It's a catch phrase that me and my son use. A few years ago, he started asking me "Dad, do you mean business?" "Heck, yeah I mean business, son."
Now we get into these discussions when we're out and about as to which people look like they mean business. You can tell who means business and who doesn't. We've also discovered there are guys out there who think they mean business, but don't mean business. According to my 15 year old, Andrew Tate thinks he means business but does not in fact mean business.
Some people think they mean business but all they're really engaged in is "doing the work" (in the performative posting/"tawking" sense).
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/h_lMVEMtLUc