Dead Lift - I'm just not feeling it

I just started deadlifts with my weights and it doesn't feel that hard to me either, or that it's doing much for me. I watched a utube video that showed the correct method and am following that, so I am interested to see answers on here.

I used to not feel the dead lifts either but I found I had to experiment with how much I bent my knees. Also make sure your arms are going down as far as they can... and you're bending at the waist. You should feel it right behind and above your knees.

Perhaps your choice of weight is wrong? I had this issue with ChaLEAN because the weight I would choose for the legs is quite different than for the arms on most occasions. Try doing just the deadlift and not the row. Go to bodybuilding.com for a video and pictures of correct form. Then try doing just the row. Choose whichever weight was lightest, because if you don't, the form will falter on one of the exercises. This can also mean that you don't work the stronger muscle as much as you would like...which is one of the issues I have with ChaLEAN, but I digress.

If your form is correct and you are using the correct weight...and you still don't feel the dead lift...it might just be that your legs are stronger than your back. Maybe press pause there and do the exercises separate.

What exactly is the routine supposed to be?
Deadlifts do work the hamstrings as well most of the rest of the body (one of the greatest exercises ever) but their main focus is lower back, so I wouldn't expect anyone to get a great hit in their legs from it. Rows would work the back and the arms so again, shouldn't be worrying about legs here! People can usually deadlift more than they think so for you not to feel it too much isn't a bad sign. Just make sure to keep your chest up and bum out (enough to keep the back straight) and ask google/youtube whenever you're stuck!
I'm not familiar with the ChaLean programme so I can't comment any more than that.

Edit: Proper instructions for a deadlift: http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/GluteusMaximus/BBDeadlift.html

I am doing Chalean Extreme Burn Phase and today I was doing the dead lift routine with a row and I am just not feeling anything in my legs. If I didn't have the weights I could do that pose over & over which leads me to thinking that I'm doing it wrong.

Any pointers so I can get a full workout with the move/pose?

How many lbs are you lifting? I have a weight bar with two 10lb weights for a total of about 32 lbs so maybe I need to get some heavier weights to add and would feel it more.

I deadlift 95 pounds @ 10 reps. Less weight and you won't feel it without considerably high reps.

That must be my problem...I will need to get some more weights : )

Deadlifts are sneaky. When I am doing them, they seem incredibly easy (which tricks me into using heavier weights). Then I can't walk the next day.

Be very wary of your form and muscle isolation. Keep your back flat and pull from your hamstrings (it helps to squeeze and hold your glutes for a few seconds at the top of each one). Remember, it is a major leg muscle, so go heavy.

I'm lifting 15 lbs in each hand which is perfect for the row part. I'm just wondering why I'm not feeling the dead lift in my legs unless my lower body is a lot stronger than I think.

The "in each hand" part is one problem, the weight is the other.

Get yourself an Olympic bar. It's 45lbs. You can lift it, don't worry about the number. Usually $50-100.

Get some Olympic plates: 2x 2.5lb, 4x 5lb. Should be $1.00/lb or less.

Get some clamps for the bar. Should be $10-20 for a pair.

Normally you'd be deadlifting with rubberized deadlift plates, even at 5lbs they all have the same diameter, but since you won't use those just prop the bar up on something like milk crates or a short stack of books.



Using proper form, do a deadlift with the 45lb Olympic bar.

Now do 4 more.

Now wait 3 minutes (yeap, 3, but don't sit down just stare out the window or pace around a little) and do it again.

In two days, put the two 2.5lb plates on the bar and lift the new 50lb bar.

Two days after that, take the 2.5lb plates off and put the 5lb plates on and lift the new 55lb bar.

...add 5lbs every other day until you run out of weights. Now go buy more weight and keep adding 5lbs to the bar every other day.