Tips for not rounding UPPER BACK during the deadlift?

[samatash]

I've got everything else down except for this.

Which muscle is weak and causing this error?

[Kiknskreem]

If you are young and healthy its more likely a lack of proprioception and attention to detail than anything else.

[b~rad]

rounding of the lower back is the only thing that would be dangerous. if its only your upper back, then your fine.

[Kiknskreem]

rounding of the lower back is the only thing that would be dangerous. if its only your upper back, then your fine.

Flexion of the vertabrae is dangerous. Thoracic rounding is a specialized technique sometimes employed by experienced lifters in order to reduce RoM of the deadlift. It is not something to be encouraged in new trainees.

OP, lay prone on the ground. Put your hands behind your head. Pick your head up. Now pick your legs up. Arch hard and hold for a count. Remember what this position feels like.

[Gadsden]

Flexion of the vertabrae is dangerous. Thoracic rounding is a specialized technique sometimes employed by experienced lifters in order to reduce RoM of the deadlift. It is not something to be encouraged in new trainees.

OP, lay prone on the ground. Put your hands behind your head. Pick your head up. Now pick your legs up. Arch hard and hold for a count. Remember what this position feels like.

x2

[samatash]

Flexion of the vertabrae is dangerous. Thoracic rounding is a specialized technique sometimes employed by experienced lifters in order to reduce RoM of the deadlift. It is not something to be encouraged in new trainees.

OP, lay prone on the ground. Put your hands behind your head. Pick your head up. Now pick your legs up. Arch hard and hold for a count. Remember what this position feels like.

This position flexes the abs.

Could this possibly be an ab weakness issue as well?

Thanks for your help, by the way. I'll try what you said.

[Gadsden]

OP, lay prone on the ground. Put your hands behind your head. Pick your head up. Now pick your legs up. Arch hard and hold for a count. Remember what this position feels like.

x2

I've done this at least 5 times

[Kiknskreem]

This position flexes the abs.

It shouldn't. You are using the postural muscles of your back to hold the arch.

The exact opposite movement would contract your abs (basically a leg lift with your head off the ground).... that is laying on your back with your feet and head up off the ground.

Could this possibly be an ab weakness issue as well?

No. I think its most likely a matter of practice, experience, and kinesthetic awareness.

Flexibility would be the next most likely culprit., but without being there with you I can't rightly say.

[rekoil]

This position flexes the abs.

Could this possibly be an ab weakness issue as well?

Thanks for your help, by the way. I'll try what you said.

Are you lying on your back? That's what I thought when I read his suggestionat first, and that would flex your abs. But lie down on your stomach and flex your back is what I think he meant.

[SexyChic]

I've got everything else down except for this.

Which muscle is weak and causing this error?

Try to do it in front of a mirror and always stare straight ahead forcing your back straight and shoulders back.

[stu4rt]

perhaps you may want to lighten the weigths

[GoJu]

Try to do it in front of a mirror and always stare straight ahead forcing your back straight and shoulders back.

he shouldn't really rely on that, he should feel how to pull the bar into himself, that will keep the upper back from rounding (though this isn't necessarily a bad thing, many taller lifter round their upper backs on purpose so they have less distance they have to travel to the bar)

[willldabeast]

trying flexing your abs when you do it

[ironman1964bc]

If you are using too much weight and have short arms, rounding of the back is going to happen. I have never been able to regular deadlift over 500lbs without putting my back out. Now, I use the trap bar for deadlifts and can go over 600lbs with no problems.

[DJAuto]

Three part series:

http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=1582703
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=1588392
http://www.t-nation.com/readArticle.do?id=1607555