Return to site

Weightlifting 101 - Deadlift Stance

broken image

IT professional Evan Loring is a senior manager with Congruity, where he oversees annual budgets on behalf of enterprise corporations. Outside of his professional activities, Evan Loring enjoys weightlifting in his free time.

In the world of weightlifting, few exercises work more muscle groups in the body than the deadlift. Because the deadlift uses a higher weight load than nearly any other exercise, form is key in protecting oneself from injury. As with most lifts, the deadlift begins with the stance.

The deadlift stance requires lifters to place their feet at hip width. This is a much narrower stance than the squat, which involves a shoulder-width stance or wider. The narrow stance enables lifters to reach straight down for the bar without bumping into their legs along the way.

Foot position also plays an important role in the deadlift stance. Starting with the bar over the midfoot helps lifters keep their balance and avoid back pain from reaching forward for the bar. Feet should remain flat on the floor, with the weight kept over the middle of the foot. Lifters often experience more comfort by turning their toes out 15 degrees, but the exact angle depends on the lifter’s anatomy.