dead lift (back arched or straight)

[GunnedDownAtrocity]

i thought i read on the forum to keep your back arched and straighten it as you reach lockout, but here (http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/GluteusMaximus/BBDeadlift.html) it says to keep back straight through movement.

any info or links would be appreciated. i thought there used to be a demo thread that was sticky but it's not there anymore. though, i think the demo in that thread is the one that's linked above.

im getting back into lifting next thursday after my first day back to class and i want to jump right into ptp cycling of deads and presses. i plan to start with 100lbs on both (bench to ease back in and deads to get the hang of the movement).

[abobo]

http://www.dolfzine.com/page222.htm

http://www.t-mag.com/articles/194dead2.html

[CD Lee]

GDA -

If you do them as Pavel describes the movement, your back will always be straight. He says from walking up to the bar until you complete your lift, you never take your eyes off the ceiling. You cannot arch your back or hump it over (I think thats what you mean right?) if you can see the ceiling.

I am new to deadlifts myself, and I am starting very light to get the form. I sure could use a guy in the gym that knows good form on the lift to watch me. Unfortunately, I doubt there is anybody there that knows. I have seen personal trainers there letting guys do squats with their knees way out of alignment from their feet. Hard to watch this incompetence.

[stubbs]

i used to do it with my back arched but that was cos i didn't really know how to do them properly. i read somewhere to do them with your back straight and since i've been doing that i've felt the deadlift to be a more all-round exercise and i think my posture has improved for some reason.
________
Buy Digital Scale (http://www.vaporshop.com/scales)

[IronFist]

I always thought the whole "look at the ceiling" thing was to ensure that your back stays arched.

Let's just make sure we're talking about the same thing. "Arch" means your lower back is contracted and your abs are stretched out. It's the opposite of how your back would be if you do a crunch. I you lay on your stomach and then bend back as far as you can (try to touch your head to your feet) that's arching.

That's how I deadlift. It's more stable than keeping your back "straight," which doesn't make any sense to me why you would want a straight back when deadlifting. The back can support the most weight when arched, anyway. Arch your back for squats, arch your back for deadlift, and arch your back for bench (within reason... keep your butt on the bench).

Maybe the "straight back" thing is because some people lack the flexibility to get a noticible arch in their back?

Just remember, arching is not hunching forward. Even though your back makes an arch then, that's NOT arching your back and if you do that when you deadlift or squat it will **** you up.

IronFist

[GunnedDownAtrocity]

thanks for the info and links all. i was confusing arching for huntching.

[stubbs]

thanks for the info and links all. i was confusing arching for huntching.

yeah me too. i was hunching but now i do them straight
________
Honda Anf125 (http://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Honda_ANF125)

[CD Lee]

Yeah, good info. I too, was confusing straight with arching. I arch my back.

I noticed today that the Hardgainer's workout is similar to Pavel's recommendations, with some differences.

Does anybody know how our American Powerlifter's take the Pavel information?

I love the workouts and am still making steady gains on the bench. I started out about 10 workouts ago after a more-than-massive layoff. I started with like 65-85 lbs on the bar. I quickly worked up to do 135 for rep or two, then after a few workouts, I could do it 10 reps. Then I switched to the P2P style workouts. I have been able to quicly get my bench to 3 reps of 215 today, with the best form of my life. No bouncing, no jerking, and no muscle strains. I was going to stop at 205 for a cycle start, but tried the heavier stuff because a guy was there to spot if I needed it. Oh, I can finally get my @ss off the ground now with like 3 pullups. 6 weeks ago, I could hang there and get about a half inch! I used the lat machine to build up.