deadlifts feel strange

Johan Larson johan0larson8comcast0net said:

On the strength of recommendations in this newsgroup, I have been trying
deadlifts as a leg exercise. Best I can figure, given the motion, I should
be feeling it in the quads, the glutes, and maybe the back. So far, with
about 200 pounds on the bar (a bit less than my body weight), I really only
feel it in the back. Is that to be expected, or am I doing something wrong?

Use your legs more; don't "crane" so much with your lower back.

And even then, you should feel it more in your hams than in your
quads.

JMW <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Johan Larson johan0larson8comcast0net said:

On the strength of recommendations in this newsgroup, I have been
trying deadlifts as a leg exercise. Best I can figure, given the
motion, I should be feeling it in the quads, the glutes, and maybe the
back. So far, with about 200 pounds on the bar (a bit less than my
body weight), I really only feel it in the back. Is that to be
expected, or am I doing something wrong?

Use your legs more; don't "crane" so much with your lower back.

You mean I am bending over too much from the waist?

Quoted message said:

And even then, you should feel it more in your hams than in your
quads.

You mean my hamstrings? Why would they be doing anything? I am
straightening my legs at the knee, which uses the quads. The hamstrings
would be working to bend the leg at the knee, which is not what I am
doing on the lift.

--
Johan Larson Daly City, California

Johan Larson johan0larson8comcast0net said:

JMW <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Johan Larson johan0larson8comcast0net said:

On the strength of recommendations in this newsgroup, I have been
trying deadlifts as a leg exercise. Best I can figure, given the
motion, I should be feeling it in the quads, the glutes, and maybe the
back. So far, with about 200 pounds on the bar (a bit less than my
body weight), I really only feel it in the back. Is that to be
expected, or am I doing something wrong?

Use your legs more; don't "crane" so much with your lower back.

You mean I am bending over too much from the waist?

To put it simply, yes.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

And even then, you should feel it more in your hams than in your
quads.

You mean my hamstrings? Why would they be doing anything? I am
straightening my legs at the knee, which uses the quads. The hamstrings
would be working to bend the leg at the knee, which is not what I am
doing on the lift.

You need to study your anatomy a little bit more. The hamstrings are
two-joint muscles; they both flex the knees and extend the hips. Look
up "Lombard's Paradox."

JMW said:

Johan Larson johan0larson8comcast0net said:

On the strength of recommendations in this newsgroup, I have been trying
deadlifts as a leg exercise. Best I can figure, given the motion, I should
be feeling it in the quads, the glutes, and maybe the back. So far, with
about 200 pounds on the bar (a bit less than my body weight), I really only
feel it in the back. Is that to be expected, or am I doing something wrong?

Use your legs more; don't "crane" so much with your lower back.

And even then, you should feel it more in your hams than in your
quads.

This is good advice. At age 54 I just set a new PB of 90kg ( I weigh
79kg) a few days back. Apart from screwing up my form in a lift many
months back, I never feel it in my back, a bit in my quads, glutes and
hams but mainly I know it was a deadlifting session because I sleep
like a log 🙂

--
Bob Volkmer

On Fri, 17 Feb 2006 23:14:32 -0600, Johan Larson

johan0larson8comcast0net said:

On the strength of recommendations in this newsgroup

Therein lies the problem.

Johan Larson said:

On the strength of recommendations in this newsgroup, I have been trying
deadlifts as a leg exercise. Best I can figure, given the motion, I should
be feeling it in the quads, the glutes, and maybe the back. So far, with
about 200 pounds on the bar (a bit less than my body weight), I really only
feel it in the back. Is that to be expected, or am I doing something wrong?

Chances are your deadlifts look too much like this
http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Hamstrings/BBStraightLegDeadlift.html

and should look more like this
http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/GluteusMaximus/BBDeadlift.html .

Note the back should stay straight (or very close). The shoulders and
hips should come up together with the bar.

It could also be due to a weak back. Keep deadlifting and working
on your form. Any weaknesses will even out in time.

"Johan Larson" <johan0larson8comcast0net> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On the strength of recommendations in this newsgroup, I have been trying
deadlifts as a leg exercise. Best I can figure, given the motion, I should
be feeling it in the quads, the glutes, and maybe the back. So far, with
about 200 pounds on the bar (a bit less than my body weight), I really
only
feel it in the back. Is that to be expected, or am I doing something
wrong?

--

Also, experiment with sumo style. The trunk stays closer to vertical and in
my exp, involves the hips more than the lower back.

Here's a discussion:
http://tinyurl.com/czrdp

"Johan Larson" <johan0larson8comcast0net> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On the strength of recommendations in this newsgroup, I have been
trying
deadlifts as a leg exercise. Best I can figure, given the motion, I
should
be feeling it in the quads, the glutes, and maybe the back. So far,
with
about 200 pounds on the bar (a bit less than my body weight), I really
only
feel it in the back. Is that to be expected, or am I doing something
wrong?

When I first learned to deadlift a few years ago, my back was where I
felt it. Over the years, though, my back got stronger and now my leg
strength is what limits the amount of weight I can pick up. The best
deadlift advice I've ever got was simply "push the floor away with your
feet" - that seems to help me and many other people not bend their back.
It also helps to inhale tightly to pressurize your midsection before you
lift the weight - this will help keep the back from bending.

Hope that helps.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

In article <[email hidden]>,

Johan Larson johan0larson8comcast0net said:

On the strength of recommendations in this newsgroup, I have been trying
deadlifts as a leg exercise. Best I can figure, given the motion, I should
be feeling it in the quads, the glutes, and maybe the back. So far, with
about 200 pounds on the bar (a bit less than my body weight), I really only
feel it in the back. Is that to be expected, or am I doing something wrong?

I feel it mostly in my hams, and upper and middle traps.

You might not be using your legs enough.
Squat down a bit deeper.
--
Peace, Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

On Fri, 17 Feb 2006 23:14:32 -0600, Johan Larson

johan0larson8comcast0net said:

On the strength of recommendations in this newsgroup, I have been trying
deadlifts as a leg exercise. Best I can figure, given the motion, I should
be feeling it in the quads, the glutes, and maybe the back. So far, with
about 200 pounds on the bar (a bit less than my body weight), I really only
feel it in the back. Is that to be expected, or am I doing something wrong?

Most everyone here is far more knowledgeable than I on the matter, but
to me starting at *only* 200lbs seems like a lot of weight. I'm
paranoid though, I pulled/ripped something in my abs over a year ago
doing DL's (probably due to poor form with too much weight) and I
thought I'd NEVER get over it. Now the only things I do are DL's and
squats.
~GJ~

Gemini Jackson said:

Most everyone here is far more knowledgeable than I on the matter

Agreed! No need to read any further.

"Gemini Jackson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Fri, 17 Feb 2006 23:14:32 -0600, Johan Larson

johan0larson8comcast0net said:

On the strength of recommendations in this newsgroup, I have been trying
deadlifts as a leg exercise. Best I can figure, given the motion, I

should

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

be feeling it in the quads, the glutes, and maybe the back. So far, with
about 200 pounds on the bar (a bit less than my body weight), I really

only

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

feel it in the back. Is that to be expected, or am I doing something

wrong?

Quoted message said:

Most everyone here is far more knowledgeable than I on the matter, but
to me starting at *only* 200lbs seems like a lot of weight. I'm
paranoid though, I pulled/ripped something in my abs over a year ago
doing DL's (probably due to poor form with too much weight) and I
thought I'd NEVER get over it. Now the only things I do are DL's and
squats.

How did you pull/rip something in your abs doing DL's?

In article
<[email hidden]>,

John said:

"Gemini Jackson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Fri, 17 Feb 2006 23:14:32 -0600, Johan Larson

johan0larson8comcast0net said:

On the strength of recommendations in this newsgroup, I have been trying
deadlifts as a leg exercise. Best I can figure, given the motion, I

should

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

be feeling it in the quads, the glutes, and maybe the back. So far, with
about 200 pounds on the bar (a bit less than my body weight), I really

only

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

feel it in the back. Is that to be expected, or am I doing something

wrong?

Quoted message said:

Most everyone here is far more knowledgeable than I on the matter, but
to me starting at *only* 200lbs seems like a lot of weight. I'm
paranoid though, I pulled/ripped something in my abs over a year ago
doing DL's (probably due to poor form with too much weight) and I
thought I'd NEVER get over it. Now the only things I do are DL's and
squats.

How did you pull/rip something in your abs doing DL's?

I think it's called a "hernia", and you can get one from poor lifting
technique...
--
Peace, Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

"OmManiPadmeOmelet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article
<[email hidden]>,

John said:

"Gemini Jackson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Fri, 17 Feb 2006 23:14:32 -0600, Johan Larson
<johan0larson8comcast0net> wrote:

>
>On the strength of recommendations in this newsgroup, I have been

trying

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>deadlifts as a leg exercise. Best I can figure, given the motion, I

should

Quoted message said:

>be feeling it in the quads, the glutes, and maybe the back. So far,

with

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>about 200 pounds on the bar (a bit less than my body weight), I

really

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

only

Quoted message said:

>feel it in the back. Is that to be expected, or am I doing something

wrong?

Quoted message said:

Most everyone here is far more knowledgeable than I on the matter, but
to me starting at *only* 200lbs seems like a lot of weight. I'm
paranoid though, I pulled/ripped something in my abs over a year ago
doing DL's (probably due to poor form with too much weight) and I
thought I'd NEVER get over it. Now the only things I do are DL's and
squats.

How did you pull/rip something in your abs doing DL's?

I think it's called a "hernia", and you can get one from poor lifting
technique...

Oh, but that's not ripping the ab muscle, is it?

In article <[email hidden]>,

John said:

Quoted message said:

I think it's called a "hernia", and you can get one from poor lifting
technique...

Oh, but that's not ripping the ab muscle, is it?

I think that's debatable..... ;-)

You end up with a hole in the abdominal wall that your intestines can
stick out thru. Worse ones are lower down, right above the scrotum.
--
Peace, Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

John said:

How did you pull/rip something in your abs doing DL's?

Have you ever done heavy deadlifts? My max is 365 lbs., which although
not at all heavy for some is a gut buster (or so it seems) for me.

--
Curt
http://curtjames.com/

OmManiPadmeOmelet said:

John said:

Quoted message said:

I think it's called a "hernia", and you can get one from poor lifting
technique...

Oh, but that's not ripping the ab muscle, is it?

I think that's debatable..... ;-)

As well as Googleable:

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-29,GGLG:en&q=hernia%2C+definition

And:

"A hernia develops when the outer layers of the abdominal wall weaken,
bulge, or actually rip. Any part of the abdominal wall can develop a
hernia." From: http://www.herniaonline.com/hernia.html

Quoted message said:

You end up with a hole in the abdominal wall that your intestines can
stick out thru. Worse ones are lower down, right above the scrotum.

Ouch. *Never had one and never want one.* (There. That should neatly
cover today's NO [censored] moment.)

--
Curt
http://curtjames.com/

In article <[email hidden]>,

Curt James said:

OmManiPadmeOmelet said:

John said:

> I think it's called a "hernia", and you can get one from poor lifting
> technique...

Oh, but that's not ripping the ab muscle, is it?

I think that's debatable..... ;-)

As well as Googleable:

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-29
,GGLG:en&q=hernia%2C+definition

And:

"A hernia develops when the outer layers of the abdominal wall weaken,
bulge, or actually rip. Any part of the abdominal wall can develop a
hernia." From: http://www.herniaonline.com/hernia.html

Quoted message said:

You end up with a hole in the abdominal wall that your intestines can
stick out thru. Worse ones are lower down, right above the scrotum.

Ouch. *Never had one and never want one.* (There. That should neatly
cover today's NO [censored] moment.)

Excellent input Curt, thanks!
My housemate had one for 6 months. Took the VA that long to schedule the
surgery... Trusses help, back supports work better depending on the
location of the tear. His was to the low right, but well above the
scrotum.

The pain was obviously not fun. :-(
--
Peace, Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

OmManiPadmeOmelet said:

John said:

Gemini Jackson said:

On Fri, 17 Feb 2006 23:14:32 -0600, Johan Larson wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>On the strength of recommendations in this newsgroup, I have been trying
>deadlifts as a leg exercise. Best I can figure, given the motion, I
>should be feeling it in the quads, the glutes, and maybe the back.
>So far, with about 200 pounds on the bar (a bit less than my body
>weight), I really only feel it in the back. Is that to be expected,
>or am I doing something wrong?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Most everyone here is far more knowledgeable than I on the matter, but
to me starting at *only* 200lbs seems like a lot of weight. I'm
paranoid though, I pulled/ripped something in my abs over a year ago
doing DL's (probably due to poor form with too much weight) and I
thought I'd NEVER get over it. Now the only things I do are DL's and
squats.

How did you pull/rip something in your abs doing DL's?

I think it's called a "hernia", and you can get one from poor lifting
technique...

Technique may not be a factor. The more common Inguinal Hernias
are largely due to preexisting tear/flaw in the lower ab.