How is my deadlift form?

[tjax03]

It looks like your knees are bent too much at the start of the lift, forcing you to move the bar outwards to get around your knees as you lift upward. Bend your knees less to start, you wont be able to use your legs as much to lift the weight this way, so it will emphasize your back more which is really what you want to do with this exercise.

[tjax03]

Also, lookat your video. Your knees come out in front of your feel at the start position. This is a result of squatting down too low. You want your knees to be right over your feet at the start. This will help you determine the correct starting position for you.

[BgMc31]

It looks like your knees are bent too much at the start of the lift, forcing you to move the bar outwards to get around your knees as you lift upward. Bend your knees less to start, you wont be able to use your legs as much to lift the weight this way, so it will emphasize your back more which is really what you want to do with this exercise.

I totally disagree. Many big deadlifters start with the knees bent that deep because they durive their power from the legs rather than their backs. Look at 800+ puller Dan Harrison (check his youtube), also Andy Bolton (world record holder in the deadlift) incorporates a lot of leg drive in his deadlift. It's all about leverages. Many stumpy-legged guys (big squatters) incorporate lots of leg drive into their deads. Longer, taller guys (like myself 6'4), incorporate much more back so it begins to look like a stiff legged dead for some. BTW I'm a 7 8 0lb deadlifter.

Your form is actually pretty close to perfect for a beginner. As you grow and get stronger you'll tweak your technique to fit your body type. But its looking good brotha. You always want to keep the bar as close to your shins and your legs throughout the entire lift. A proper deadlift will have you slide the bar up your legs through the entire lift. By proper deadlift, I mean what we (powerlifters and strongmen) do in competition.

[tjax03]

I totally disagree. Many big deadlifters start with the knees bent that deep because they durive their power from the legs rather than their backs. Look at 800+ puller Dan Harrison (check his youtube), also Andy Bolton (world record holder in the deadlift) incorporates a lot of leg drive in his deadlift. It's all about leverages. Many stumpy-legged guys (big squatters) incorporate lots of leg drive into their deads. Longer, taller guys (like myself 6'4), incorporate much more back so it begins to look like a stiff legged dead for some. BTW I'm a 7 8 0lb deadlifter.

Your form is actually pretty close to perfect for a beginner. As you grow and get stronger you'll tweak your technique to fit your body type. But its looking good brotha. You always want to keep the bar as close to your shins and your legs throughout the entire lift. A proper deadlift will have you slide the bar up your legs through the entire lift. By proper deadlift, I mean what we (powerlifters and strongmen) do in competition.

I suggest that you watch some videos of these guys yo have just mentioned. They do exactly what I told the OP to do. Note that their legs are not nearly as bent as his. Thus, there knees remain directly over their feet to ensure proper leverage and power. I did not say the OP shouldn't use his legs, just that he is bending them too far. Watch videos and you will see.

[BgMc31]

I suggest that you watch some videos of these guys yo have just mentioned. They do exactly what I told the OP to do. Note that their legs are not nearly as bent as his. Thus, there knees remain directly over their feet to ensure proper leverage and power. I did not say the OP shouldn't use his legs, just that he is bending them too far. Watch videos and you will see.

Leverages are different for a person weighing 340lbs, like Dan Harrison, and the OP. Having trained with Dan and many other top deadlifters/powerlifters, I know for a fact when teaching the lift at a very light weight its important to incorporate the legs within the lift as possible. As you can read from my post, after learning the lift properly and gaining weight, your form will change. But when learning the lift, incorporating more leg strength is paramount because the legs can take much strain than your lowerback can. Numbers and seeing it in training don't lie.

Check out Dan Harrison's 800 and *** deadlifts and see how much leg bend he uses at the beginning of each lift.

[tjax03]

Leverages are different for a person weighing 340lbs, like Dan Harrison, and the OP. Having trained with Dan and many other top deadlifters/powerlifters, I know for a fact when teaching the lift at a very light weight its important to incorporate the legs within the lift as possible. As you can read from my post, after learning the lift properly and gaining weight, your form will change. But when learning the lift, incorporating more leg strength is paramount because the legs can take much strain than your lowerback can. Numbers and seeing it in training don't lie.

Check out Dan Harrison's 800 and *** deadlifts and see how much leg bend he uses at the beginning of each lift.

I totally agree that using the legs is vital to proper deadlifting. I will take your word for it that one's form changes as one hones their skills. My major concern with the OP's form is that it looks like his legs are bent in such a way that it would reduce his leverage at the start of the lift. I watched Dan Harrison, he does seem to bend his knees a bit more than others, but also from the video I saw, before he starts actually pulling upwards, his knees are pretty much over his feet. OP, the best thing for you to do would probably be to experiment and see what works best for you at this point. Figure out what position gives your body structure the most leverage/power while maintaining safe, strict form.