Deadlifts: How much...

lisalsd1
lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
I started doing deadlifts about a month ago. I can lift my body weight (125lbs) for 1 set. I was super proud of myself. I asked my husband if this was a "good" amount. He wouldn't give me a straight answer (probably b/c he didn't know).

So, ladies, how much are you lifting and how long have you been doing it?

Men can answer too...I'm not being sexist; I'm just sure that you are probably lifting more.
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Replies

  • tyrsnbdr
    tyrsnbdr Posts: 234 Member
    For ladies, I would say:
    2x BW = elite lift.
    1.5x BW = awesome lift
    1x BW = good lift, standard for strength.

    Guys, I would .5-1xbw for same standards.
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    It's normally considered relative to your bodyweight. But you can enter your bw, rep number and weight lifted at

    http://www.strstd.com/

    and it'll give you some idea where you fall on the beginner->inter->advanced->elite spectrum

    for your bench, deads, squat and ohp.

    Also some people have levers for deadlifting, some people are built for squatting, so all that has to be accounted for, too. Nothing's that straight-forward in life!
  • AJ_G
    AJ_G Posts: 4,158 Member
    For ladies, I would say:
    2x BW = elite lift.
    1.5x BW = awesome lift
    1x BW = good lift, standard for strength.

    Guys, I would .5-1xbw for same standards.

    ^This sounds about right for women. You should be able to deadlift your body weight at least I'd say. Just keep training and progressing and you'll be fine.
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
    It's normally considered relative to your bodyweight. But you can enter your bw, rep number and weight lifted at

    http://www.strstd.com/

    and it'll give you some idea where you fall on the beginner->inter->advanced->elite spectrum

    for your bench, deads, squat and ohp.

    Also some people have levers for deadlifting, some people are built for squatting, so all that has to be accounted for, too. Nothing's that straight-forward in life!

    Awesome tool! I got between novice and intermediate...more towards intermediate on deadlift. So, I'm pleased with myself. You know what's funny is that my husband said, "well, everyone should be able to deadlift their body weight." It made me slightly mad when he said it...not mad at all when I read it on a forum though...ha!
  • bizco
    bizco Posts: 1,949 Member
    Right now I'm lifting my bodyweight (140lbs.) for 3 sets of 8 reps. In a week or two I'll increase the weight to 150 lbs. for 3 sets of 6 reps.
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    You know what's funny is that my husband said, "well, everyone should be able to deadlift their body weight." It made me slightly mad when he said it...not mad at all when I read it on a forum though...ha!

    Ha ha! You only hurt the ones you love....
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
    You know what's funny is that my husband said, "well, everyone should be able to deadlift their body weight." It made me slightly mad when he said it...not mad at all when I read it on a forum though...ha!

    Ha ha! You only hurt the ones you love....

    I think it was his tone...it was more like, "well, EVERYONE should be able to deadlift their body weight." Jerk.
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    You know what's funny is that my husband said, "well, everyone should be able to deadlift their body weight." It made me slightly mad when he said it...not mad at all when I read it on a forum though...ha!

    Ha ha! You only hurt the ones you love....

    I think it was his tone...it was more like, "well, EVERYONE should be able to deadlift their body weight." Jerk.

    Just break up...
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    For ladies, I would say:
    2x BW = elite lift.
    1.5x BW = awesome lift
    1x BW = good lift, standard for strength.

    Guys, I would .5-1xbw for same standards.

    ^This sounds about right for women. You should be able to deadlift your body weight at least I'd say. Just keep training and progressing and you'll be fine.

    indeed. hitting body weight is nice- but when you start pushing 2x BW that's when it gets fun. :)
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    For ladies, I would say:
    2x BW = elite lift.
    1.5x BW = awesome lift
    1x BW = good lift, standard for strength.

    Guys, I would .5-1xbw for same standards.

    ^This sounds about right for women. You should be able to deadlift your body weight at least I'd say. Just keep training and progressing and you'll be fine.

    indeed. hitting body weight is nice- but when you start pushing 2x BW that's when it gets fun. :)

    Agreed...I hit BW on DLs a while ago at 160lbs...I failed at 200 Monday...got 3/5 reps out...when I hit 1.5bw...watch out...
  • ashlando
    ashlando Posts: 125 Member
    A few weeks back, I did 155lb for x45 reps. The heaviest I've attempted is 185lb for x3 reps and completed those. Next time I go for deadlifts, I'm gonna try 200lb!!!
  • I haven't dead lifted since December, but I was 140lbs and got 3 reps @132.5kg(291.5lbs) I've been lifting heavy for just over 4 years and I'm 48 and a granny!
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
    Alright so from reading the women's responses, I need to add some more weight. I'm still proud of myself, BUT I probably can do more.
  • Alright so from reading the women's responses, I need to add some more weight. I'm still proud of myself, BUT I probably can do more.

    We all start low and gradually build up, Just keep going :-)
  • Leadfoot_Lewis
    Leadfoot_Lewis Posts: 1,623 Member
    Alright so from reading the women's responses, I need to add some more weight. I'm still proud of myself, BUT I probably can do more.

    Don't let others (especially on an internet forum) influence how much weight you put on the bar. You want to progress your Deadlift at a rate where you can lift with good form. When form starts breaking down and you can't hit your set # of reps, then you deload 10% and work your way back up.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    before I got sick last week I was up to about 350# max....I could probably do more because that was at the end of my session so was a little taxed...I weight 175#
  • juliewatkin
    juliewatkin Posts: 764 Member
    Body weight is great. Just keep working on it and adding weight to the bar.

    I've been lifting for 7(ish) years and my best single was last fall 305lb at 123lbs bw. Like another poster mentioned, different people have different levers. I have long arms and find deadlifting easy but bench more difficult.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Alright so from reading the women's responses, I need to add some more weight. I'm still proud of myself, BUT I probably can do more.

    Don't let others (especially on an internet forum) influence how much weight you put on the bar. You want to progress your Deadlift at a rate where you can lift with good form. When form starts breaking down and you can't hit your set # of reps, then you deload 10% and work your way back up.

    Yuppers.

    it will happen for you. You're off to a good start- milestones for DL are typically
    100 lbs (triple digits)
    body weight-
    then 1.5 body weight/200 lbs
    250 and then 2 x body weight.
    and so forth.

    Don't rush it- this is an exciting time. Yes you will be adding more- so don't let anyone ever tell you "that's the most you are 'supposed' to lift-because there is always room for 5 more lbs on the bar <wink wink> but but but but don't' move till you are ready.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    A few weeks back, I did 155lb for x45 reps. The heaviest I've attempted is 185lb for x3 reps and completed those. Next time I go for deadlifts, I'm gonna try 200lb!!!
    45 reps of deads..????? Is that a typo?
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    A few weeks back, I did 155lb for x45 reps. The heaviest I've attempted is 185lb for x3 reps and completed those. Next time I go for deadlifts, I'm gonna try 200lb!!!
    45 reps of deads..????? Is that a typo?

    maybe 4 or 5??

    LOL who knows- I'm doing a set of 20 squats I never thought I'd see the day... anything over that I think I might die.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    A few weeks back, I did 155lb for x45 reps. The heaviest I've attempted is 185lb for x3 reps and completed those. Next time I go for deadlifts, I'm gonna try 200lb!!!
    45 reps of deads..????? Is that a typo?

    maybe 4 or 5??

    LOL who knows- I'm doing a set of 20 squats I never thought I'd see the day... anything over that I think I might die.

    could be 4 or 5 ...

    45 on deadlits just seems like a lot ...I mean they are really taxing...I usually limit my reps to 5-8 depending on my weight range...
  • deninevi
    deninevi Posts: 934 Member
    I have been lifting for 2.5-3 year. Last time I DLed it was 225# for 4 reps. My body weight is 157#. You are doing great! Keep at it!
  • ekemsley1
    ekemsley1 Posts: 15 Member
    I just started doing it a couple weeks ago...um...I do 60lbs but I do 3 sets of 12reps with only a short break in between. I weigh like 135 right now so body weight seems....terrifying.

    You all seem like you're doing much higher weight than me, but those of you that posted about reps seem to only be doing a few. I've heard when you're first starting not to lift more than what you can do 12 reps of at a time...is there truth to this? or should I just try to go heavier??
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    I just started doing it a couple weeks ago...um...I do 60lbs but I do 3 sets of 12reps with only a short break in between. I weigh like 135 right now so body weight seems....terrifying.

    You all seem like you're doing much higher weight than me, but those of you that posted about reps seem to only be doing a few. I've heard when you're first starting not to lift more than what you can do 12 reps of at a time...is there truth to this? or should I just try to go heavier??

    well it's a couple of things-
    1.) you are still new- so form and weight will be an issue- don't rush it and don't feel bad.
    2.) everyone is different so comparing numbers just isn't THAT helpful to be honest
    3..) lifting heavy is a rep range- not a number.

    so 12 reps you aren't talking about heavy and strength- you are pushing into muscle endurance.

    1-5 pure strength
    5-10 size and strength
    10-15 muscle endurance

    if you were to drop down to lower reps- you'd be able to lift more- but when you are first starting- going pure strength is usually not a good idea.

    Stick with that 8-12 range- and as you build a base- you can play with working on more strength oriented lifting- in which case I would go to an actual program designated for strength gains- you could actually do that now- but it might be-hoove you to stick to a slightly lower weight and keep working form.

    you're aren't wrong- just a different program.
  • notyouraveragetalia
    notyouraveragetalia Posts: 223 Member
    I just started doing it a couple weeks ago...um...I do 60lbs but I do 3 sets of 12reps with only a short break in between. I weigh like 135 right now so body weight seems....terrifying.

    You all seem like you're doing much higher weight than me, but those of you that posted about reps seem to only be doing a few. I've heard when you're first starting not to lift more than what you can do 12 reps of at a time...is there truth to this? or should I just try to go heavier??

    This is ME! I'm DL'ing 65 lbs. Interested in any advice on # of reps...
  • Ashly744
    Ashly744 Posts: 60 Member
    I don't do a high amount either...but I do 3 rounds with 12 reps. When it becomes easy, I increase the weight.
  • melmckay99
    melmckay99 Posts: 358
    I can do 3 X 155lbs, and I'm about 125lb, so thats about 1.25 X BW for me. My current goal is to get to about 1.5 X BW which is about 190 lbs.
  • Leadfoot_Lewis
    Leadfoot_Lewis Posts: 1,623 Member
    Interested in any advice on # of reps...

    There's really no golden rule, but I personally like to keep the rep range for Deadlifts (and all other Compound lifts for the matter) in the 5-8 rep range. Deadlifts I tend to do mostly 5 rep sets for a couple of reasons. First it's easier to maintain good form doing only 5 reps then 8 or 12, etc. Second, I lift heavy for strength gains so 5 reps or so is the logical number to work with, plus Deadlifting is a very taxing lift when done heavy. If I do a bunch of reps and sets for Deadlifts then all my other lifts in the workout that follow will suffer. And lastly, keeping a constant # of reps (in my case, 5) makes it easier for me to track my progress - if I can only get 4 reps I don't add weight next workout. If I get all 5 reps then I increase the weight next workout.
  • loubidy
    loubidy Posts: 440 Member
    Your own body weight in a month? Well done you!!
  • 12amm34
    12amm34 Posts: 4
    I've been dead lifting for about 5 months and maxed out at 220lbs. I weigh 130lbs. :)