Passing Out & Deadlifts

FrnkLft
FrnkLft Posts: 1,821 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Started deadlifts last Wed to see if I could manage... I've had back problems for a long time and I was always worried about hurting it.

Instead of doing deads I started about 4 months ago using the hyperextension machine & doing cable pulls without moving my hips or flexing anything but my lower back... worked up to the max on the machine for 255# x 8 reps.

Great, so now I am confident to do deadlifts and my back doesn't hurt or feel stressed. Did up to 10 reps of 135# on Wed and I had to sit down I got so lightheaded after 3 sets. Weight was challening but still easy, but honestly I'm taking it easy and I want to go slow to avoid injury.

Is this lightheadedness common? My form was definitely good. Does it go away with conditioning/time?

Replies

  • WhoButME28
    WhoButME28 Posts: 63 Member
    Make sure of two things:

    - That you're getting a sound meal full of carbs and protein (minimal fats and veggies as the latter causes gas :laugh: and you don't want to be stinking up your gym) before you work out or a protein shake with some form of carb (bananas are a good option) before your workout

    - That you're breathing properly during every rep; you'd be surprised.
  • jackaroo21
    jackaroo21 Posts: 127 Member
    Deadlifts can be very taxing, but a great all body compound lift. I do my warm up sets and then just do one set of five reps. Thats all I can take. I add five pounds each sessions. Im up to 280 now. Been doing them for three months. Form will always seem good at lower weights but wait till you starting increasing the weight. The form will break down. Keep working on form.
  • tigerblue
    tigerblue Posts: 1,526 Member
    Shouder presses used to make me lightheaded. Doesn't happen any more. Not sure why!
  • h9dlb
    h9dlb Posts: 243 Member
    Light headedness / nausea is very commom when doing deadlifts - I get it everytime. Feels horrible but it just shows how effective this exercise is. Really deadlifts and squats are the only exercises you need to do.

    HOWEVER - 10 reps is too much - try doing 5 sets of 5 (look up 5x5 stronglifts) lifting 70% of your one rep max. (So if the maximum weight you can lift once is 100kg, then you do 5 reps at 70kg). Every couple of weeks try and increase the weight by 5-10 kilos. You will pack on muscle and strength in no time.

    I also have a historical bad back and exercise caution but after a few weeks of deadlifting your back will be stronger and pain free than ever

    Good luck
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Agreed with the breathing recommendation. You don't have to breath through the lift necessarily, just make sure you aren't holdilng your breath for multiple reps.

    I also agree with lowering the reps per set, especially if you're having issues with breathing/light-headedness.
  • FrnkLft
    FrnkLft Posts: 1,821 Member
    Yeah I'll be doing the 5/3/1 routine from here on out. Was just testing my limits last Wed and noticed the dizziness.
  • _DaniD_
    _DaniD_ Posts: 2,186 Member
    I've never gotten light headed, but at the end of my sets my legs are really shaky. A couple weeks ago they got so shaky that they buckled on me and I fell over. It was awesome.
  • whierd
    whierd Posts: 14,025 Member
    I get lightneaded when deadlifting as well. It is partially because of the effort involved and partially because I am holding my breath throughout most of the movement to help keep my core solid. I also sit and rest after each set.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Yeah I'll be doing the 5/3/1 routine from here on out. Was just testing my limits last Wed and noticed the dizziness.

    Even with that, the last set during the first 2 weeks you'll be doing to failure... so you could be looking at 10+ reps depending. Make sure your technique is good and that you are breathing.
  • FrnkLft
    FrnkLft Posts: 1,821 Member
    Yeah I'll be doing the 5/3/1 routine from here on out. Was just testing my limits last Wed and noticed the dizziness.

    Even with that, the last set during the first 2 weeks you'll be doing to failure... so you could be looking at 10+ reps depending. Make sure your technique is good and that you are breathing.

    Oh right, I'll keep that in mind thanks.
  • RandiLandCHANGED
    RandiLandCHANGED Posts: 630 Member
    I have very low blood pressure so I frequently feel faint, but deadlifts definitely give me the feeling as well.
  • missADS1981
    missADS1981 Posts: 364 Member
    anything that is compound with the legs will do this, its the largest muscle group and all the blood is going there. you are bound to get light headed.

    make sure to be breathing throughout the reps
    walk around after you finish a set and give time between reps (i wait one minute in between)
    eat carbs before work out on leg day (i have a rice cake with almond butter or a piece of ezekiel bread on the way to the gym on leg day)
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Is this lightheadedness common? My form was definitely good. Does it go away with conditioning/time?

    Yes, the lightheaded feeling is common. So common that I anticipate it, and move a bench to the spot next to my squatting/deadlifting station. You know, so I can sit there until the ground stops moving.

    Has nothing to do with form. More to do with intensity of effort. And sometimes breathing. Valsalva, much?

    Doesn't go away. Well, sorta maybe. It'll go away at 135. But then you'll be lifting 225. And getting dizzy. It'll go away there too. But by then you'll be lifting 315. On so on.

    But don't worry. It passes quickly and it's highly unusual for anyone to actually pass out. Just have a place nearby where it's safe to rest for 15-30 secs while the feeling passes.
  • FrnkLft
    FrnkLft Posts: 1,821 Member
    Is this lightheadedness common? My form was definitely good. Does it go away with conditioning/time?

    Yes, the lightheaded feeling is common. So common that I anticipate it, and move a bench to the spot next to my squatting/deadlifting station. You know, so I can sit there until the ground stops moving.

    Has nothing to do with form. More to do with intensity of effort. And sometimes breathing. Valsalva, much?

    Doesn't go away. Well, sorta maybe. It'll go away at 135. But then you'll be lifting 225. And getting dizzy. It'll go away there too. But by then you'll be lifting 315. On so on.

    But don't worry. It passes quickly and it's highly unusual for anyone to actually pass out. Just have a place nearby where it's safe to rest for 15-30 secs while the feeling passes.

    Thanks man, good answer. And yeah, the bench was RIGHT there lol, I could have found it with my eyes closed.
  • FrnkLft
    FrnkLft Posts: 1,821 Member
    An update, these have all but gone away. I'm used to the movement now after have a couple week's worth under my belt, and my breathing has gotten better.



    I do feel a strange clicking in my lower left side, like just above the glute. Doesn't hurt, but it's a bit sore. Is this common, could it be a form thing?

    I stand shoulder width apart, bar in the center of my feet, and lift it straight up, thrusting once the bar crosses my knee. And I am excellent at moving everything together, no rounding.

Categories