Starting weight for deadlifts

[older2533]

Quick question:

Starting deadlifts today. Have never done a single one before. I currently squat 145 lbs.
If you were my trainer, what weight would you have me start with?

Thanks.

[ricohitman]

Quick question:

Starting deadlifts today. Have never done a single one before. I currently squat 145 lbs.
If you were my trainer, what weight would you have me start with?

Thanks.

Hmm...I would start with the bar, to get the form down. Then, maybe bump it up to 95lbs and see how that feels. Then bump it up to 135lbs and see how that feels. Take your time getting the form down. It's really easy to F%$# up form on deadlifts. Take your time getting to know the exercise.

[kittyboy]

Kudos for finally doing deadlifts! I would start out with 135#. If you use smaller plates, the bar will be too low, and your starting position will be all jacked up. 135 isn't much weight and you shouldn't have any problems with it at your size. Focus on good form, of course.

[Marius_Ursus]

Hmm...I would start with the bar, to get the form down. Then, maybe bump it up to 95lbs and see how that feels. Then bump it up to 135lbs and see how that feels. Take your time getting the form down. It's really easy to F%$# up form on deadlifts. Take your time getting to know the exercise.

^This.

Plus once you start (and I mean start) to feel it "getting heavy" drop the increments to five pounds per single rep until your form isn't perfect. Use that as your 1-rep max. From there you can calculate what weight you can start at for multiple reps depending on what kind of rep/set scheme you're using.

[ricohitman]

Kudos for finally doing deadlifts! I would start out with 135#. If you use smaller plates, the bar will be too low, and your starting position will be all jacked up. 135 isn't much weight and you shouldn't have any problems with it at your size. Focus on good form, of course.

Mmm...good point. 95lbs would be too low to the ground.

[Marius_Ursus]

Mmm...good point. 95lbs would be too low to the ground.

Not if you use jack stands or a power rack.

[homerfit]

I started with just the bar. I set the bar on blocks that where eqaul to the 45 lbs plates. That way I could get my form down and used to that height. I've been going slow but adding weight each lift. I figure go slow and gain than to lift to heavy and get hurt.

[Gjudas]

Quick question:

Starting deadlifts today. Have never done a single one before. I currently squat 145 lbs.
If you were my trainer, what weight would you have me start with?

Thanks.

I agree with the 135# starting weight, Just gotta watch that form and choose what type of DL you wanna do.

[supy]

Kudos for finally doing deadlifts! I would start out with 135#. If you use smaller plates, the bar will be too low, and your starting position will be all jacked up. 135 isn't much weight and you shouldn't have any problems with it at your size. Focus on good form, of course.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[older2533]

Thanks all. I think the gym has various platforms around that I can use to lift the bar to the height it would be if it had 45 lb plates on each side. So I will start with just the bar, see how it feels and then move up when ready.

I'm looking at various Youtube videos that get sent through the vacuum tubes of the internets to my computer for proper form.

Thanks again.

[jdtemple]

You can find all sorts of deadlift information here:

http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wi..._Strength_Wiki

[ezra76]

I actually had my brother do them for the 1st time 2 weeks ago. I started him by showing him how to bend from his hips, stick his butt out and keep the back straight. Showed him how you can totally stretch out your hams from this position just by lowering your torso, back totally straight like a board from butt to back of head.

Once he felt this, it was easy to get into the DL form. I had him just pull 135 for 3 sets of 12. We moved up to 225, 275, then 315 afterwords.

[*STEVE*]

Hmm...I would start with the bar, to get the form down. Then, maybe bump it up to 95lbs and see how that feels. Then bump it up to 135lbs and see how that feels. Take your time getting the form down. It's really easy to F%$# up form on deadlifts. Take your time getting to know the exercise.

This ^ x a million , couldnt have said it better myself ! Have some reps

Not if you use jack stands or a power rack.

this ^ works

I started with just the bar. I set the bar on blocks that where eqaul to the 45 lbs plates. That way I could get my form down and used to that height. I've been going slow but adding weight each lift. I figure go slow and gain than to lift to heavy and get hurt.

so does this ^

Welcome to the Global War on Terrorism

lulz

[ellis12]

i started doing them my last workout and started at 135 my first set then did the last two at 155. i was squatting 265 then.

[BrotherWolf]

Quick question:

Starting deadlifts today. Have never done a single one before. I currently squat 145 lbs.
If you were my trainer, what weight would you have me start with?

Thanks.

If you don't have bumper plates you can start at 135 or 95 and use something to put under the plates to make up the difference in diameter..

It's important that you start from the correct distance or it isn't a correct deadlift, you will pick up bad habits if you start incorrectly.

If you haven't yet.... look at this video to start

[older2533]

If you don't have bumper plates you can start at 135 or 95 and use something to put under the plates to make up the difference in diameter..

It's important that you start from the correct distance or it isn't a correct deadlift, you will pick up bad habits if you start incorrectly.

If you haven't yet.... look at this video to start

Thanks for the video BW. I had not found it before, and I could have used it. I'm sure my feet were too far back and my butt was too low at the start. I started with just the bar (and something under it to raise it to the correct height). Then 115 (with just a plate under each 35 lb plate) then I did 135 lbs, without anything to raise the bar initially.
All the weights seemed very easy to get the weight up. My only issue was putting it down. That felt weird and seemed to put a lot of pressure on my lower back. This was perhaps due to having my feet too far back.

[Marius_Ursus]

Thanks for the video BW. I had not found it before, and I could have used it. I'm sure my feet were too far back and my butt was too low at the start. I started with just the bar (and something under it to raise it to the correct height). Then 115 (with just a plate under each 35 lb plate) then I did 135 lbs, without anything to raise the bar initially.
All the weights seemed very easy to get the weight up. My only issue was putting it down. That felt weird and seemed to put a lot of pressure on my lower back. This was perhaps due to having my feet too far back.

That could be. I know the way my own body mechanics work that if my feet aren't centered under the bar, I can't keep my back arched when I lower it.

[BrotherWolf]

Thanks for the video BW. I had not found it before, and I could have used it. I'm sure my feet were too far back and my butt was too low at the start. I started with just the bar (and something under it to raise it to the correct height). Then 115 (with just a plate under each 35 lb plate) then I did 135 lbs, without anything to raise the bar initially.
All the weights seemed very easy to get the weight up. My only issue was putting it down. That felt weird and seemed to put a lot of pressure on my lower back. This was perhaps due to having my feet too far back.

You're welcome..

The bar should be in contact with your shins all the way up and down.. better leverage and less back strain.
With 135lb (2x45lb plates) you don't need anything under , it is the correct
(or mostly correct) distance
And remember .. it is supposed to be hard .. very hard
but as long that you can manage without rounding your back and keeping a good form you'll be fine

[older2533]

Wolf and Bear,

Sorry I can't rep right now, but thanks for the help.

[DNG]

Kudos for finally doing deadlifts! I would start out with 135#. If you use smaller plates, the bar will be too low, and your starting position will be all jacked up. 135 isn't much weight and you shouldn't have any problems with it at your size. Focus on good form, of course.

This^^^

Good post, and repped

[crupiea]

Start with a weight that is comfortable for you. Every one is different.

if its under 135 then adjust the bar height so the starting position is correct, that way you get the feel down right.