{"id":7963,"date":"2021-01-26T13:48:30","date_gmt":"2021-01-26T19:48:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vshred.com\/blog\/?p=7963"},"modified":"2021-01-26T13:48:30","modified_gmt":"2021-01-26T19:48:30","slug":"the-5-best-deadlift-variations-for-beginners-form-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vshred.com\/blog\/the-5-best-deadlift-variations-for-beginners-form-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"The 5 Best Deadlift Variations for Beginners (FORM EXPLAINED!)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-7964\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vshred.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/dealiftvariations_YTFinal.png?resize=1170%2C658&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vshred.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/dealiftvariations_YTFinal.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vshred.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/dealiftvariations_YTFinal.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vshred.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/dealiftvariations_YTFinal.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vshred.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/dealiftvariations_YTFinal.png?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DEADLIFTS are included in most workout programs for a good reason.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are pretty much the only exercise that works both the lower and upper body at the same time. You use your glutes, upper thighs, hamstrings, lower back, upper-middle back, traps, forearms, core, and can even engage the chest as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deadlifts can be intimidating, especially if you are new to lifting. But once you master the movement with proper form, it is pretty simple to execute.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Today we are showing you some beginner deadlift variations<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These will help perfect your deadlift form so that you can feel comfortable easing your way into a standard barbell deadlift.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>If you have already mastered the deadlift\u2026 <\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this video will be a great refresher to make sure you are using proper form. You can also throw these modifications in when you don\u2019t feel like lifting heavy, hitting PRs, have limited equipment, or want a change-up!<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Build Confidence and Check Your Deadlift Form<br \/>\n<\/b><b>With These 5 Deadlift Variations<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1170\" height=\"659\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CquH4jP2F2Y?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>(1) Kettlebell or DB Deadlift Off Of An Elevated Surface<br \/>\n<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deadlifting with a free weight such as a kettlebell or dumbbell is an excellent starting point for beginners. It will help teach you how to hip hinge properly. Adding the element of an elevated surface will give you more of a limited and controlled range of motion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grab two 45 pound plates.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The stance is similar to your standard deadlift with the toes lightly making contact with the plates. So they are slightly elevated.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grab a KB or DB (hold vertically) and perform a deadlift using the technique tips we go over a little further down. Don\u2019t bend your arms.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure and use a slow tempo so you can get a good feel of the mechanics required for a deadlift.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you feel you have mastered the exercise with your toes on an elevated surface, try moving to a flat surface.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>(2) Pause Deadlift<br \/>\n<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are great because when you first try deadlifting, you may be tempted to rush.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When using a pause technique, you are forcing yourself to establish proper control and balance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can use the KBs, DBs, or you can progress to a pre-loaded barbell. You will perform the movement the same as above, except you will be on a flat surface and pause at different parts of the lift.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set 1.. pause about two inches off the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set 2.. pause just below the knee.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set 3.. pause at the upper thigh.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>(3) Single-Leg Deadlift<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This variation is great for increasing hip strength and improving balance.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hold a KB or DB in one hand and let it hang to the side. Stand on the same leg that you hold the weight.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slightly bend your knee. Bend at the hip (hip hinge), and as you lower down, you will extend your free leg behind you for balance. Continue lowering the weight until you are parallel to the ground, and then return to the upright position. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions and then switch sides and do the same thing.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be sure not to bend the back leg or twist the hips while doing the movement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>(4) Rack Pull<br \/>\n<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This exercise is a good one to try out just before you attempt a \u201creal\u201d deadlift.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It will help you build confidence and improve your grip.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set the pins of the squat rack to mid-shin height.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Put the bar on the pins.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Walk up to the bar, so your shins are slightly touching it.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stick your butt back just like you would for the Deadlift.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep your back flat and lift the bar. Press your hips through at the top of the movement. Return bar back on the pins.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>(5) Sumo Deadlift<br \/>\n<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is another excellent way to warm up to using the actual bar set-up that you will be using for the standard deadlift.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The only thing different in this deadlift variation and the standard deadlift is you will have a really wide stance, and your hands will be in between your legs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many people prefer to deadlift this way all the time because they find it more comfortable, especially if you have long limbs or want to lift really heavy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is also a solid beginner deadlift variation because the wider stance allows you to stay in a more upright position.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because you\u2019re not traveling as far from the ground&#8230;this variation is also a little bit easier.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure and keep this in mind when you advance to a standard stance. You most likely will not be able to lift as much weight with proper form in a standard stance position.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obtain a wide stance with toes pointed out. Wide enough so that your arms can extend downwards, inside the knees.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just like all the other variations, you will bend the hips back, keep the spine neutral, and brace your core.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep your feet flat, but try to drive through heels. Keep the bar close to the body. After it passes the knees, fully extend hips and knees, squeezing glutes at the top.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>PROPER DEADLIFT FORM<br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It doesn\u2019t matter if you are doing \u201cthe real deal\u201d standard deadlift or using one of the variations in the video above, many people (especially newbies), confuse the deadlift motion with a squat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a squat, you have max hip bend and max knee bend.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a deadlift, you are not squatting, you have max hip bend, but very minimal knee bend.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When doing a hip hinge, you will have a slight bend in the knee and then think about pushing your butt directly out towards a wall behind you while still keeping your spine neutral (straight) and your core braced.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stand with your mid-foot under the bar. Stance about hip-width apart.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bend over, but do not squat. Grip barbell with both hands about shoulder-width.How you grip the bar is really personal preference.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bend your knees and drop until the bar almost touches your shins.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lift your chest. Straighten your back. Make sure that your lower back stays neutral. DO NOT round it!\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Engage your lats.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pull (thinking about pressing your feet down into the floor through your heels) until the barbell passes your knees, then thrust your hips forward until you are standing up straight.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Return the weight to start position. Do not bounce the weight. This can be dangerous to the lower back.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b><i>Mastering the deadlift is not only great for gym gains \u2026<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b><i>It will help you properly execute many day to day movements!!<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think about all the things you do in everyday life that mimic this movement. We use the extension of hips and knees all day\u2026 lifting anything substantial from the floor (kids, groceries, furniture, etc.)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b><i>Deadlifting is also very metabolically challenging\u2026<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because it works NUMEROUS muscles at one time, deadlifts are incredibly effective at helping you blast tons of calories while building more muscle!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Speaking of metabolism\u2026.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Did you know that it is important that you are lifting and eating in a way that is best for your personal genetics? <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you know <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">your <a href=\"https:\/\/vshred.com\/sp\/survey\/survey-aka1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">body type<\/a>\u2026 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you can implement a plan that will give you the best results in the shortest amount of time!!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We created a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vshred.com\/sp\/survey\/survey-aka1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FREE BODY TYPE QUIZ<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that will tell you your body type and instantly give you tools to get started!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b><i>Don\u2019t Let Deadlifts Intimidate You<br \/>\n<\/i><\/b><b>Use<\/b><b> these exercises<\/b><b> for a little while and you will be ready to tackle them in no time!!\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DEADLIFTS are included in most workout programs for a good reason. They are pretty much the only exercise that works both the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":129,"featured_media":7964,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[50,32,22,25,26,51,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7963","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-back-workouts","category-body-toning","category-body-workouts","category-build-muscle","category-get-toned","category-leg-workouts","category-strength-building"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vshred.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/dealiftvariations_YTFinal.png?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9NWy7-24r","jetpack-related-posts":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vshred.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7963","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vshred.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vshred.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vshred.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/129"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vshred.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7963"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/vshred.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7963\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7967,"href":"https:\/\/vshred.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7963\/revisions\/7967"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vshred.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7964"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vshred.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7963"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vshred.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7963"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vshred.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7963"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}