question about deadlifts

[Raul_Duke]

Today was my first time doing deadlifts due to a lower back injury I had previously. I weigh 142 lbs, and went with 115lbs for the deadlifts. It was easy, and I did 5 sets of 5.

My question is, is this a really low starting weight for deadlifts? Or should I do a weight like this to get used to it and get my form down? I don't want to waste my time doing them if they aren't going to be beneficial. If that's the case I would rather bump the weight up.

Thanks.

[Nick1971]

If you are going to do 5 sets of 5 reps, you want to use something close to your 5RM, and learn the form with such a load. It should be a little lighter than that, starting off. But not too light.

That said, a significantly lower weight will still be beneficial for warmup sets, and for an exercise like Deadlifts, you should do a couple warmup sets beforehand.

[dantheman999]

The problem with starting out with such light weight is that you wont be deadlifting from the right height, unless you bumper plates, which is rare. A strong deadlift often comes from the proper set up, one that you cant practice if you are starting to close to the ground.

As for the weight in general. It is very light, you should do a weight that is a challenge to do. Then do more next time. And then more the time after that. Thats all there is to it.

[Tyciol]

If you start with a lighter weight, smaller plates, then you're lifting from a lower height. This isn't really going to make it harder to lift from a higher height. If anything, he's building some nice reserve flexibility.

[Mikael92]

just make sure your lower back stays arched/flat with the deficit you're pulling from.

[dantheman999]

If you start with a lighter weight, smaller plates, then you're lifting from a lower height. This isn't really going to make it harder to lift from a higher height. If anything, he's building some nice reserve flexibility.

I pull deficit deads as training as well, but if you are just learning to deadlift i think it would be a much better idea to start out from the right height. It's only a little more weight, i am sure he can do it.

[OminousD27]

well since you had a previous back injury the weight doesn't seem to bad. After a while tho you'll need to increase the weight. 5-6 reps for strength and 10-12 for hypertrophy. You should fail on your last rep. But learning the form and movement is good just gradually increase. Gotta start somewhere.

[crupiea]

Donty worry about what the number is, just concentrate on doing them with proper form. The weight will come.

If you worry about it now, you will over reach and re injure your back.

Train smarter.

In 6 months will continued work, this will no longer be a concern for you.

[Mr.Runner]

135 is usually the standard that beginners, if they're able, should do, just because like previous posters said it starts the bar at the proper mid shin height.

But proper weight is relative.

[Luckylefty811]

sorry to jump in your thread, but i was wondering if i should wear a back brace, i previously hurt my lower back and i have just started getting back into deadlifts. i want to strengthen my back, and i think the back brace will make my back dependent on the brace. should i just stay at a light weight around 175 or so until my back strengthens or should i continue to go up to 225?

[jaded_seconds]

i started deadlifting last summer. my starting deadlift was right were you are. now i'm at around a 290 one rep max. and a 250 x5. so work on form. form is the most important aspect. today i did deads, and i used ****ty form on my last rep on my top set of 5 =( i feel guilty about it man.

move the weight up when you're ready. that's all you should care about.

[jaded_seconds]

sorry to jump in your thread, but i was wondering if i should wear a back brace, i previously hurt my lower back and i have just started getting back into deadlifts. i want to strengthen my back, and i think the back brace will make my back dependent on the brace. should i just stay at a light weight around 175 or so until my back strengthens or should i continue to go up to 225?

i would start at a lighter weight and use the brace when you need to, like for the top sets and the sets under 5 reps.

[Luckylefty811]

i would start at a lighter weight and use the brace when you need to, like for the top sets and the sets under 5 reps.

ok thanks