Respectable Deadlift?

[Jbizzlechizzle]

I've never taken the deadlift very seriously, but I'm now reading about all of the benefits. I'm 5'9" 182 lbs and pulled 315 lbs raw yesterday and it felt pretty easy. I'm a little anxious to go heavier until I clean up my form due to ongoing back problems. I plan on staying light and working on my form before really pushing this exercise.

Question: what's a respectable dl for a guy my size?

[Velenox]

I would say 3 plates is respectable. Its not impressive by any means but a three plate dead lift puts you well above what the average person could pull. Just my opinion

[sillywabbit69]

I've never taken the deadlift very seriously, but I'm now reading about all of the benefits. I'm 5'9" 182 lbs and pulled 315 lbs raw yesterday and it felt pretty easy. I'm a little anxious to go heavier until I clean up my form due to ongoing back problems. I plan on staying light and working on my form before really pushing this exercise.

Question: what's a respectable dl for a guy my size?

I like to use exrx.net/Testing/WeightLifting/StrengthStandards.htm as a standard

[Jasonk282]

I would say 3 plates is respectable. Its not impressive by any means but a three plate dead lift puts you well above what the average person could pull. Just my opinion

Anywhere from 3-4 plates if you are in your typical globo gym. If in say a powerlifter gym...well that's just considered warm up weight LOL

[doughnutgut]

A respectable weight is as respectable as you want it to be OP.


Your respectable weight today is not going to look respectable in a years time if you keep pushing.

(is it?)

[jeremyacox]

Respectable is bout 2x bw in my opinion and an impressive one is 3x bw at your average golds gym.

[3anan]

i believe respectable is not the right world because as doughnutgut said the weight that is respectable for you today will be nothing for u after a year .. but i believe in deadlift u know that ur doing good when you deadlift 2*your bodyweight at least .. but for someone who doesnt have much experience in deadlift, not bad, just keep up the great work

[phamine]

I like to use exrx.net/Testing/WeightLifting/StrengthStandards.htm as a standard

Are the charts based on 1 RM?

[induced_drag]

Dont worry about what is 'respectable' and just do an appropriate amount of weight for you. I respect anyone doing their best to improve and using solid form.


As to what would be impressive (note I did not say 'respectable') to other well trained weight lifters, I would say anything above 5 plates (495+)

[Jbizzlechizzle]

I would say 3 plates is respectable. Its not impressive by any means but a three plate dead lift puts you well above what the average person could pull. Just my opinion

I value your opinion. Thanks!

I like to use exrx.net/Testing/WeightLifting/StrengthStandards.htm as a standard

I'll have to check this out.

Anywhere from 3-4 plates if you are in your typical globo gym. If in say a powerlifter gym...well that's just considered warm up weight LOL

LOL... noted. Doubt I'll ever want to warm up with 3-4 plates, but I'm glad that I'm "on par" for my typical globo gym. I don't see many guys in my gym dl'ing more than 3 plates.

A respectable weight is as respectable as you want it to be OP. Your respectable weight today is not going to look respectable in a years time if you keep pushing.(is it?)

You're exactly right.

Respectable is bout 2x bw in my opinion and an impressive one is 3x bw at your average golds gym.

I'm pretty sure I can do 2x my bw. I'm a pretty strong guy, but I want to make sure my form is solid before I push for that. Thanks.

i believe respectable is not the right world because as doughnutgut said the weight that is respectable for you today will be nothing for u after a year .. but i believe in deadlift u know that ur doing good when you deadlift 2*your bodyweight at least .. but for someone who doesnt have much experience in deadlift, not bad, just keep up the great work

Thanks man, I'm definitely gonna keep pushing myself. I've seen all of my other lifts increase so much, so I think a good DL will give me that little something extra to take me over the top. I have a 300+ bp and squat 315 lbs for 10+ reps (not interested in ever maxing squats).

[induced_drag]

....... squat 315 lbs for 10+ reps (not interested in ever maxing squats).

If the above is true, something does not compute. Either you are not trying on deadlift, or you are not doing full squats.

315x10 is a conservative 405-410 single. Most people deadlift significantly more then they squat (there are some exceptions with really odd frames but not often.)

If you could do a 405 single for a squat, I would EASILY put your deadlift 460-475 range. The carry over between the two exercises in tremendous and they are highly related to one and other.



So which is it? Do you have a lot more in your dead, or do you do 1/2 squats?

[Galactus]

And your definitely being conservative ID. I don't think I can do 315 x 10 on squats, but I can do 455 x 2 way past parralel. Although it may be a conditioning issue for me in part. If you look at my at 8-10 rep sets, I can always max more than predicted by those charts.

But your logic is spot on. 315 x 10 on squats if full legit squats would be a well into 400's max, and should equate to a near 500 DL.

[mirroroferised]

I agree with the ones saying it's what is respectable to you. I just did 280 lbs in my last session, could have gone heavier and I couldn't be happier. Of course I have ambitions to go well beyond that but for me and knowing where I came from, this is a very respectable lift for me.

[Jtbny]

And your definitely being conservative ID. I don't think I can do 315 x 10 on squats, but I can do 455 x 2 way past parralel. Although it may be a conditioning issue for me in part. If you look at my at 8-10 rep sets, I can always max more than predicted by those charts.

But your logic is spot on. 315 x 10 on squats if full legit squats would be a well into 400's max, and should equate to a near 500 DL.

I'm not sure if that holds true for all but it surely holds true for me. I'd estimate I can 1rm squat 450ish and have done 315 for more than 10 reps, but not easily like OP claims he can. My DL hovers around 500lb. There is a lot of carry over between the two IMO also.

[Jbizzlechizzle]

If the above is true, something does not compute. Either you are not trying on deadlift, or you are not doing full squats.

315x10 is a conservative 405-410 single. Most people deadlift significantly more then they squat (there are some exceptions with really odd frames but not often.)

If you could do a 405 single for a squat, I would EASILY put your deadlift 460-475 range. The carry over between the two exercises in tremendous and they are highly related to one and other.



So which is it? Do you have a lot more in your dead, or do you do 1/2 squats?

I have a lot more on my deadlift. I'm sure of it, but I'm scared to death of hurting my back due to poor form. As far as the squat form, they're definitely not half squats, but I'm not putting my ass totally in the grass either. Like I said, the 315 dead felt pretty easy to me and I'm sure I can pull a lot more. I'm just afraid to try until I get my form down.

[drudixon]

I have a lot more on my deadlift. I'm sure of it, but I'm scared to death of hurting my back due to poor form. As far as the squat form, they're definitely not half squats, but I'm not putting my ass totally in the grass either. Like I said, the 315 dead felt pretty easy to me and I'm sure I can pull a lot more. I'm just afraid to try until I get my form down.

Post a video. Members here are very helpful.

[Flounderbout]

A respectable deadlift is one done in chinos. For a truly smart deadlift you are going to need a tux.

[induced_drag]

I have a lot more on my deadlift. I'm sure of it, but I'm scared to death of hurting my back due to poor form. As far as the squat form, they're definitely not half squats, but I'm not putting my ass totally in the grass either. Like I said, the 315 dead felt pretty easy to me and I'm sure I can pull a lot more. I'm just afraid to try until I get my form down.

In my opinion (and experience) heavy squats are just as hard if not harder on the back. (especially lower back) Mainly because in a "full" squat you are down MUCH further in the hole. In a conventional dead, you have the advantage of basically starting from a 1/2 squat position.

If you are concerned about hurting yourself, just take it slow. I would also recommend posting up a vid showing your form from the side. As Dru said, lots of helpful people around here can point you in the right direction.

Done properly over time, you will be surprised at how much weight the back and handle. In the beginning, stick with reps of at least 3 and preferably 5 or more. Singles will do nothing for you but expose you to injury long before you have had a chance to learn to hold your proper form at heavier weights. I have built 90% of my deadlifts strength never going below 3 reps. (Only in the last year have I started doing doubles and singles regularly.)

[induced_drag]

and besides...

nobody really even finds their TRUE form until you start working with a weight that's gonna make your think and I'm not real sure 5 rep weight falls into that category

the heavier the sets the more you're forced to think about what you're doing

I agree somewhat. I do agree that you need to have a reasonable amount of weight on the bar to even simulate form and engagement. But I think a lot of people let their good form go to crap when they hit heavy weights and use the excuse that it is their 'true' form coming out under weight. I strongly disagree with this.

I think if you pick a weight that you can really only do for 5, it should be enough to allow you to pull with a form that will carry over to a single. (especially if you dip into the 3's). I think if you build enough strength, your form should not degrade that much (if any) even at maximal weights.

[mtdman]

Let me ask a question, because I don't know. I just started doing deadlifts a few years ago and I'm far from an expert on them.

What is the typical rep scheme that you all use for deadlifts? It seems to me that you are all doing heavy weights for 1 or 2 reps per set. I have always done less weight and the typical 8 to 10 rep per set scheme, up to the last set of 3 to 5 reps. Should I be trying for heavier weight and fewer reps?

I ask because as I wrote, I'm not sure, and it seems like deadlifts are a different rep scheme for most people.

[mtdman]

personally I think/know you'll benefit more from your 3-5's if you goal is to up your 1 RM max

and with that logic in mind I also think if you're flirting with or going to failure on your higher reps sets before you get to your 3-5 set reps you're taxing yourself before the work really starts..

I would only tell you to use that weight you're doing 8 reps with, and use it as a warmup and do 3 maybe 4 reps with it and move on to your heavy sets...

This is why I ask. I feel like I'm getting blown up doing the 10 rep sets, and that's great for cardio. But l'm thinking that lowers my ability to do more heavy stuff.


And for that matter, is that a strategy to keep in mind with all exercises? Should I stick to lower reps on power movements, and save energy for the heavy sets? I've always worked a pyramid, dropping reps as weight goes up, and starting with higher reps at lower weights. Should I just do 3-5 rep sets with lighter weights and move up to the heaviest weights faster?

[drudixon]

This is why I ask. I feel like I'm getting blown up doing the 10 rep sets, and that's great for cardio. But l'm thinking that lowers my ability to do more heavy stuff.


And for that matter, is that a strategy to keep in mind with all exercises? Should I stick to lower reps on power movements, and save energy for the heavy sets? I've always worked a pyramid, dropping reps as weight goes up, and starting with higher reps at lower weights. Should I just do 3-5 rep sets with lighter weights and move up to the heaviest weights faster?

When I went from 3s to 4s I had a deadicated day to deadlifts. Push pull legs Deads.

Deads were
2*10
2*8
2*6
2*4
2*2
1*1

From 435 to 455 i simply squatted. This weekend I try for 5 plates after doing my 1rm squat test to finish my smolov program. Again, haven't deadlifted in 3 months.

[Jbizzlechizzle]

There's a lot of helpful info here. Thanks everyone! I'll try to post a video (if I can ever get in the gym when there aren't too many people wandering about and staring). I think for now, I'll stick to reps of 10 @ 135, 6 @ 225, 3 @ 275, 1 @ 315 until I feel like the form is improving. I'll probably try a 405 pull within the next month. I've been a person that has dealt with some sort of lower back pain since my early 20's, but maybe that's because deads were never a part of my workout routine. All of your replies have been very helpful.

[jaeburd]

Every deadlift is respectable.

[Zarthon]

All dead lifts are respectable. 315 is a solid number, no reason not to be proud of it. Move up and see how it goes. Just be careful and try to keep to good form. I've seen some 3 plate deadlifts at my local globo gym that terrified me. They got them up and locked out but yeesh.

[Jbizzlechizzle]

I went to the gym and pulled 365 today. At 182 lbs, I'm pretty pleased with that, but I feel like i can still do more. I'll try to get a video of my next lift.

[pharmamarketer]

Keep at it OP. You need to puke first accordingg to a five star, 4 page thread. Good luck!!!

[OutdoorsinCO]

I went to the gym and pulled 365 today. At 182 lbs, I'm pretty pleased with that, but I feel like i can still do more. I'll try to get a video of my next lift.

Well according to this...you're still an Intermediate - http://www.exrx.net/Testing/WeightLi...Standards.html

I just randomly found this link and posted it just to open up discusson more if people agree with it.

[Jbizzlechizzle]

Well according to this...you're still an Intermediate - http://www.exrx.net/Testing/WeightLi...Standards.html

I just randomly found this link and posted it just to open up discusson more if people agree with it.

Interesting chart. Intermediate is fine by me considering the fact that I've never consistently done dl 's before.

[ShreddySmurf]

Interesting chart. Intermediate is fine by me considering the fact that I've never consistently done dl 's before.

At my body weight of 76 kg, my current deadlift sits at 140 kg, which is smack in the "intermediate" range and on track for how long I've been back in training.

As to whether it's respectable compared to other peoples' deadlifts, who knows? Some people are stronger, others are weaker. I can say with some confidence that I'm a lot stronger than the average person (who doesn't even know what the inside of a gym looks like), but the bar is so low it doesn't mean much.

Unless you're a competitive powerlifter, I'd assert your max lifts should mean very little to anyone else but yourself, and even then the numbers are most useful as a means to gauge your own progress. Trying to get funny with numbers on compound lifts is a good way to get injured.