Back·Barbell·Compound

Barbell Deadlift

Lower Back · Barbell

Intermediate

Body Part

Back

Equipment

Barbell

Level

Intermediate

Type

Compound

Force

Pull

The Barbell Deadlift is an intermediate barbell exercise that primarily targets the Lower Back.

Muscles Worked

Lower Back primaryCalves secondaryForearms secondaryGlutes secondaryHamstrings secondaryLats secondaryUpper Back secondaryQuads secondaryTraps secondary

How to Do the Barbell Deadlift

  1. 1Stand in front of a loaded barbell.
  2. 2While keeping the back as straight as possible, bend your knees, bend forward and grasp the bar using a medium (shoulder width) overhand grip. This will be the starting position of the exercise. Tip: If it is difficult to hold on to the bar with this grip, alternate your grip or use wrist straps.
  3. 3While holding the bar, start the lift by pushing with your legs while simultaneously getting your torso to the upright position as you breathe out. In the upright position, stick your chest out and contract the back by bringing the shoulder blades back. Think of how the soldiers in the military look when they are in standing in attention.
  4. 4Go back to the starting position by bending at the knees while simultaneously leaning the torso forward at the waist while keeping the back straight. When the weights on the bar touch the floor you are back at the starting position and ready to perform another repetition.
  5. 5Perform the amount of repetitions prescribed in the program.

Related Exercises

Exercise data from the open-source Free Exercise DB.