Bruising from Deadlifts

JNick77

No offense but I beg to differ.

http://www.jtsstrength.com/articles/2013/10/11/3-common-mistakes-clean/

Notice how in the first foot position the bar rides up the leg and in the second there is a small gap to where it's not destroying your leg? Just because somebody has the title "coach" after their name doesn't mean they're a good coach.

A little confused as you said earlier that "If too close, then you're going to drag it up your leg" but yet you post a video of form, with a coach dragging it up his leg?

The only difference between the first video & the second one is the weight distribution on the foot (heel vs midfoot). Unless I'm seeing things, on both the 1st lift (heel) and second lift (midfoot) he IS dragging the bar up his shins, pulling it towards his body which is correct. So yes, weight needs to be on the midfoot (which is the case for everyone compound lift I can think of) Not disagreeing with just a little confused I suppose.

FWIW - I always start with the bar on my shins, dragging it up in a straight line, and I am yet to have a knee bruised from it.

If you read my very first post in this thread I said

It almost sounds like you're either starting with the bar too far out in front of you or too close.

. That is in reference to when you approach the bar and before you get down into position. I did not say the bar should not be close to you when you're down in position and pulling. If you setup too close or too far when you get in front of the bar and before you get into position it will **** up the entire lift.

Leadfoot_Lewis

If you read my very first post in this thread I said

It almost sounds like you're either starting with the bar too far out in front of you or too close.

. That is in reference to when you approach the bar and before you get down into position. I did not say the bar should not be close to you when you're down in position and pulling. If you setup too close or too far when you get in front of the bar and before you get into position it will **** up the entire lift.

Thank you for the clarification. I was not trying to be an azz, just confused by what point you were trying to make, which I respectfully disagree with, but I was taught how to DL by Mark Rippetoe, so what do I know, right? LOL

JNick77

If you read my very first post in this thread I said

It almost sounds like you're either starting with the bar too far out in front of you or too close.

. That is in reference to when you approach the bar and before you get down into position. I did not say the bar should not be close to you when you're down in position and pulling. If you setup too close or too far when you get in front of the bar and before you get into position it will **** up the entire lift.

Thank you for the clarification. I was not trying to be an azz, just confused by what point you were trying to make, which I respectfully disagree with, but I was taught how to DL by Mark Rippetoe, so what do I know, right? LOL

I guess when I think about DL or Clean form I think about from the time I address the bar to the time I get down into position until the time the lift is done. Of course, check my form at address on a DL means the bar is about mid-foot.

I didn't say Ripp is clueless, I just said there are better instructors. I love his articles, his constant attack on CrossFit, though a little mis-guided in some respects, is pretty funny.

awise19

I never once said you should "drag" the bar up the shin. But I start with the bar against my shin because I pull the bar out when I going into the clean or snatch. So I over exaggerate that starting postion. But when you have the bar that close to you moving in an explosive movement like that you are bound to have it hit every once in while, causing brusing, scraped up legs. I was telling the guy it isn't that crazy to have bruises from this movement, espically if he bruises easily because the bar should be kept toward the body. So it doesn't really sound like a form issue. Now if his shoulders were killing him from the deadlift that sounds more like a form issue.

And to the lady that decided to put my personal trainer title in quotations... You can do that as much as you want but that doesn't change the fact that I am ceritified through NASM, and to everyone that decided to say what they wanted about the coaches at my box, you can look at their resumes and then talk about how much more you know then them and how I am going to get injured when they have had a total of 2 people ever get injured at their box. I did my research before I picked a box to go to. Also Crossfit is not some dangerous crazy thing that you can't use as a guide. If done correctly it is amazing. Any exercise is done incorrectly there is a chance injury is going to happen.

Warchortle

I don't bruise, but I sometimes scrap my legs and it bleeds.. I have yet to buy lifting socks.. I've had it even scrap through athletic pants somehow.... If you're hitting you knees something odd is happening because if anything if you use hip drive the bruising should be lower like on your upper shins. Perhaps you're pulling the weight up with your back before you're using your lower body to get the weight off the floor.

awise19

I don't bruise, but I sometimes scrap my legs and it bleeds.. I have yet to buy lifting socks.. I've had it even scrap through athletic pants somehow.... If you're hitting you knees something odd is happening because if anything if you use hip drive the bruising should be lower like on your upper shins. Perhaps you're pulling the weight up with your back before you're using your lower body to get the weight off the floor.

Buy some damn high socks haha.

SoLongAndThanksForAllTheFish

I will use Crossfit as my guide if I want to use Crossfit as my guide. haha.... I have an amazing couch that understands the human movement system, and I am also a personal trainer and understand the human move system.

No offense but I beg to differ.

http://www.jtsstrength.com/articles/2013/10/11/3-common-mistakes-clean/

Notice how in the first foot position the bar rides up the leg and in the second there is a small gap to where it's not destroying your leg? Just because somebody has the title "coach" after their name doesn't mean they're a good coach.

Hey you weren't paying attention, he said he had an "amazing couch that understands the human movement system". So that's safer than taking all your instruction from typical crossfit instructors.

FrnkLft

I will use Crossfit as my guide if I want to use Crossfit as my guide. haha.... I have an amazing couch that understands the human movement system, and I am also a personal trainer and understand the human move system.

No offense but I beg to differ.

http://www.jtsstrength.com/articles/2013/10/11/3-common-mistakes-clean/

Notice how in the first foot position the bar rides up the leg and in the second there is a small gap to where it's not destroying your leg? Just because somebody has the title "coach" after their name doesn't mean they're a good coach.

Hey you weren't paying attention, he said he had an "amazing couch that understands the human movement system". So that's safer than taking all your instruction from typical crossfit instructors.

Not trying to be mean at all... that's pretty ****ing funny... :laugh:

JNick77

I never once said you should "drag" the bar up the shin. But I start with the bar against my shin because I pull the bar out when I going into the clean or snatch. So I over exaggerate that starting postion. But when you have the bar that close to you moving in an explosive movement like that you are bound to have it hit every once in while, causing brusing, scraped up legs. I was telling the guy it isn't that crazy to have bruises from this movement, espically if he bruises easily because the bar should be kept toward the body. So it doesn't really sound like a form issue. Now if his shoulders were killing him from the deadlift that sounds more like a form issue.

And to the lady that decided to put my personal trainer title in quotations... You can do that as much as you want but that doesn't change the fact that I am ceritified through NASM, and to everyone that decided to say what they wanted about the coaches at my gym, you can look at there resumes and then talk about how much more you know then them and how I am going to get injured when they have had a total of 2 people ever get injured at their box. I did my research before I picked a box to go to. Also Crossfit is not some dangerous crazy thing that you can't use as a guide. If done correctly it is amazing. Any exercise is done incorrectly there is a chance injury is going to happen.

I bruise very easily. I carry my laptop case across my shoulder and the strap bruises my shoulder, lol. At most I get red marks on my shins after a heavy DL session but those go away. Once and a while I screw up and scratch myself but I'm definitely far from perfect. Just saying that if you consistently have bruising, especially on your knees, you are doing something wrong NASM certification or not.

I don't think anybody was saying CF is evil because a CF box with a good coach would be awesome. But from what it sounds like in your gym, the coach could be much better. Certifications mean nothing. When it comes to lifting, experience and results are better than a certification without experience.

Showcase_Brodown

An occasional deadlift scrape/bruise will happen. It comes with the territory. You'll probably want the bar close to your legs, but yet not dragging across them to skin yourself up. Socks or pants could help... maybe slow down the movement a little bit if it's happening a lot.

SoLongAndThanksForAllTheFish

I have bruising on my knees from the bar dragging against them on deadlifts...this wouldn't be an issue if I didn't have knee problems, so this bruising is particularly painful and causing more inflammation. Is this a form issue? Or should I slap an Ace bandage on or something to provide some padding?

You need someone to look at your form, I highly suspect from how you describe it, you are standing somewhat uneven, and favoring your knee, leading to scraping that one more than the other. The evidence is your bruising, if you were even throughout, you would not bruise one side more than the other.

Frankly though, I also bruise myself from time to time when doing heavy deadlifts, enough to have to stop typical deadlifts, or bruise my shoulders for squats, and if/when I do, I go do alternatives. If you have a shrug machine, you should be able to do deadlifts at this machine until your leg heals (or leg press instead of squats for a while), and then have someone watch you deadlift a light weight for form before going back to regular deadlifts.

JoRocka

I never once said you should "drag" the bar up the shin. But I start with the bar against my shin because I pull the bar out when I going into the clean or snatch. So I over exaggerate that starting postion. But when you have the bar that close to you moving in an explosive movement like that you are bound to have it hit every once in while, causing brusing, scraped up legs. I was telling the guy it isn't that crazy to have bruises from this movement, espically if he bruises easily because the bar should be kept toward the body. So it doesn't really sound like a form issue. Now if his shoulders were killing him from the deadlift that sounds more like a form issue.

And to the lady that decided to put my personal trainer title in quotations... You can do that as much as you want but that doesn't change the fact that I am ceritified through NASM, and to everyone that decided to say what they wanted about the coaches at my box, you can look at their resumes and then talk about how much more you know then them and how I am going to get injured when they have had a total of 2 people ever get injured at their box. I did my research before I picked a box to go to. Also Crossfit is not some dangerous crazy thing that you can't use as a guide. If done correctly it is amazing. Any exercise is done incorrectly there is a chance injury is going to happen.

that's pretty much what you said exactly

and I quote

I just learned Olypmic lifts last week, which start at deadlift form for most. They teach you to keep the bar touching the leg. You aren't doing anything wrong. Crossfit is big for deadlifts and they wear baseball style socks so they don't stratch up and bruise their legs.

And you may very well be certified- but I know what many of the certs are.. some of them are a joke. So it could mean little to nothing and by your own admission you just started learning Oly lifts- I'm not sure you are ready to give advice on what is proper or not and what's acceptable in terms of damage. Esp coming from a cross fit box where the culture glorifies puking and blood.

Once and a while I screw up and scratch myself but I'm definitely far from perfect. Just saying that if you consistently have bruising, especially on your knees, you are doing something wrong NASM certification or not.

I don't think anybody was saying CF is evil because a CF box with a good coach would be awesome. But from what it sounds like in your gym, the coach could be much better. Certifications mean nothing. When it comes to lifting, experience and results are better than a certification without experience.

THIS.
Constant banging? WRONG.
One good bang and I'll be bruises- but it is far from constant- I usually only hit 2-3 times in a full 15 set lift.

I also fully agree- I didn't say cross fit was evil- it just has a bad rap. For a lot of reasons. I fully support intense training- and heavy lifting. People ask me if I cross fit all the time- because guess what- I do AMRAP, HIIT, OLY and Power lifting. I do LOTS. But i'm not a cross-fitter- they don't own muscle ups- burpees or clean and jerks. It's just a brand name like Zumba.

having a quality coach would be awesome- and I love that it's getting people working out seriously- but you have to take stuff they say with a grain of salt- make sure the person ACTUALLY knows WTF they are talking about.

awise19

I will use Crossfit as my guide if I want to use Crossfit as my guide. haha.... I have an amazing couch that understands the human movement system, and I am also a personal trainer and understand the human move system.

No offense but I beg to differ.

http://www.jtsstrength.com/articles/2013/10/11/3-common-mistakes-clean/

Notice how in the first foot position the bar rides up the leg and in the second there is a small gap to where it's not destroying your leg? Just because somebody has the title "coach" after their name doesn't mean they're a good coach.

Hey you weren't paying attention, he said he had an "amazing couch that understands the human movement system". So that's safer than taking all your instruction from typical crossfit instructors.

Not trying to be mean at all... that's pretty ****ing funny... :laugh:

Honestly that is super funny..
But I'm a girl. But yeah I really screwed up that post and I don't even know how.

JoRocka

don't use being a girl as an excuse.

it's not a crutch. You're a functional intelligent human being.

<off soap box>

SoLongAndThanksForAllTheFish

I will use Crossfit as my guide if I want to use Crossfit as my guide. haha.... I have an amazing couch that understands the human movement system, and I am also a personal trainer and understand the human move system.

No offense but I beg to differ.

http://www.jtsstrength.com/articles/2013/10/11/3-common-mistakes-clean/

Notice how in the first foot position the bar rides up the leg and in the second there is a small gap to where it's not destroying your leg? Just because somebody has the title "coach" after their name doesn't mean they're a good coach.

Hey you weren't paying attention, he said he had an "amazing couch that understands the human movement system". So that's safer than taking all your instruction from typical crossfit instructors.

Not trying to be mean at all... that's pretty ****ing funny... :laugh:

Honestly that is super funny..
But I'm a girl. But yeah I really screwed up that post and I don't even know how.

Ah just having fun, I couldn't pass up the image of a couch instructing you on lifts I wasn't paying so close attention after all either since you are a girl and I quoted you saying "movement" when you wrote "move" too.

awise19

I never once said you should "drag" the bar up the shin. But I start with the bar against my shin because I pull the bar out when I going into the clean or snatch. So I over exaggerate that starting postion. But when you have the bar that close to you moving in an explosive movement like that you are bound to have it hit every once in while, causing brusing, scraped up legs. I was telling the guy it isn't that crazy to have bruises from this movement, espically if he bruises easily because the bar should be kept toward the body. So it doesn't really sound like a form issue. Now if his shoulders were killing him from the deadlift that sounds more like a form issue.

And to the lady that decided to put my personal trainer title in quotations... You can do that as much as you want but that doesn't change the fact that I am ceritified through NASM, and to everyone that decided to say what they wanted about the coaches at my box, you can look at their resumes and then talk about how much more you know then them and how I am going to get injured when they have had a total of 2 people ever get injured at their box. I did my research before I picked a box to go to. Also Crossfit is not some dangerous crazy thing that you can't use as a guide. If done correctly it is amazing. Any exercise is done incorrectly there is a chance injury is going to happen.

that's pretty much what you said exactly

and I quote

I just learned Olypmic lifts last week, which start at deadlift form for most. They teach you to keep the bar touching the leg. You aren't doing anything wrong. Crossfit is big for deadlifts and they wear baseball style socks so they don't stratch up and bruise their legs.

And you may very well be certified- but I know what many of the certs are.. some of them are a joke. So it could mean little to nothing and by your own admission you just started learning Oly lifts- I'm not sure you are ready to give advice on what is proper or not and what's acceptable in terms of damage. Esp coming from a cross fit box where the culture glorifies puking and blood.

Once and a while I screw up and scratch myself but I'm definitely far from perfect. Just saying that if you consistently have bruising, especially on your knees, you are doing something wrong NASM certification or not.

I don't think anybody was saying CF is evil because a CF box with a good coach would be awesome. But from what it sounds like in your gym, the coach could be much better. Certifications mean nothing. When it comes to lifting, experience and results are better than a certification without experience.

THIS.
Constant banging? WRONG.
One good bang and I'll be bruises- but it is far from constant- I usually only hit 2-3 times in a full 15 set lift.

I also fully agree- I didn't say cross fit was evil- it just has a bad rap. For a lot of reasons. I fully support intense training- and heavy lifting. People ask me if I cross fit all the time- because guess what- I do AMRAP, HIIT, OLY and Power lifting. I do LOTS. But i'm not a cross-fitter- they don't own muscle ups- burpees or clean and jerks. It's just a brand name like Zumba.

having a quality coach would be awesome- and I love that it's getting people working out seriously- but you have to take stuff they say with a grain of salt- make sure the person ACTUALLY knows WTF they are talking about.

THEY TEACH YOU TO KEEP THE BAR TOUCHING THE LEG, Like where you start. I didn't really clarify that. But if you look at one of my last posts you can see that. I am certified through NASM, it is one of those certs that isn't a joke. I kind of made sure it wasn't one of those ones that was, just wasn't really what I was going for. Also the box I go to even though you are right there are many boxes and people that do crossfit that are way too extreme and annoying and don't care about injury, mine isn't really like that. They don't glorify any type of injury. They pride themselves in having a box that hardly has any injuries actually. And it isn't really like I was giving some crazy advice. You keep the bar close to your leg, it hitting your leg from time to time leaving bruises isn't some crazy **** that can NEVER happen.

awise19

don't use being a girl as an excuse.

it's not a crutch. You're a functional intelligent human being.

<off soap box>

I wasn't using it as an excuse... What?
I was stating I was a female because he said I was a guy...
And I didn't want to be called a guy when I am not one.

awise19

I will use Crossfit as my guide if I want to use Crossfit as my guide. haha.... I have an amazing couch that understands the human movement system, and I am also a personal trainer and understand the human move system.

No offense but I beg to differ.

http://www.jtsstrength.com/articles/2013/10/11/3-common-mistakes-clean/

Notice how in the first foot position the bar rides up the leg and in the second there is a small gap to where it's not destroying your leg? Just because somebody has the title "coach" after their name doesn't mean they're a good coach.

Hey you weren't paying attention, he said he had an "amazing couch that understands the human movement system". So that's safer than taking all your instruction from typical crossfit instructors.

Not trying to be mean at all... that's pretty ****ing funny... :laugh:

Honestly that is super funny..
But I'm a girl. But yeah I really screwed up that post and I don't even know how.

Ah just having fun, I couldn't pass up the image of a couch instructing you on lifts I wasn't paying so close attention after all either since you are a girl and I quoted you saying "movement" when you wrote "move" too.

Haha. Good to know we both have other stuff going on causing us to not pay close enough attention to make sure not to make mistakes on a MFP forum haha

JoRocka

Haha. Good to know we both have other stuff going on causing us to not pay close enough attention to make sure not to make mistakes on a MFP forum haha

clearly me three because as pointed out- I totally misread the 'i'm a girl' thing.

It's a pet peeve of mine- I apologize awise LOL totally my bad!

Leadfoot_Lewis

THEY TEACH YOU TO KEEP THE BAR TOUCHING THE LEG, Like where you start. I didn't really clarify that. But if you look at one of my last posts you can see that. I am certified through NASM, it is one of those certs that isn't a joke. I kind of made sure it wasn't one of those ones that was, just wasn't really what I was going for. Also the box I go to even though you are right there are many boxes and people that do crossfit that are way too extreme and annoying and don't care about injury, mine isn't really like that. They don't glorify any type of injury. They pride themselves in having a box that hardly has any injuries actually. And it isn't really like I was giving some crazy advice. You keep the bar close to your leg, it hitting your leg from time to time leaving bruises isn't some crazy **** that can NEVER happen.

Why keep bringing up the NASM? I'm certified through NASM as well and it's a good certification for a lot of reasons, but instruction on how to coach compound lifts is not one of them. Show me in the CPT manual where they go into detail about how to properly execute a Deadlift? Unless it's a One-Legged Deadlift or some stupid, useless lift performed on a BOSU Ball NASM doesn't teach you *kitten* about weightlifting. I know what I know through A LOT of reading, research, training, and flat out doing. Not saying by any means that I know everything, but if I relied on what I learned through NASM to teach people how to lift, I'd be screwed and so would my clients.