Deadlift Reps/Sets?
BLifts38
Posts: 248 Member
How many reps/sets do you do?
I've been doing 3 sets of 8 reps.. and by the 5th rep, I feel as if I'm losing strength in my grip.
Any pointers?
I've been doing 3 sets of 8 reps.. and by the 5th rep, I feel as if I'm losing strength in my grip.
Any pointers?
0
Replies
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Is it affecting your form on the last 3 reps? If so, you don't want to risk injury. Maybe do 5 sets of 5 reps each. Just keep working at it and you'll improve.0
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Why so many reps? Personally I limit deadlifts to 5 reps, but that's just my preference and what works for me.
Beyond that, chalk is a huge help. Get the stuff rock climbers use. Might also try doing targeted grip and forearm work. Farmers walks, plate pinches, high rep HEAVY dumbbell rows have all worked for me.0 -
In addition to the hook grip (and strengthening exercises), do a mixed grip if you haven't. And lastly, if your form is good and the weight is fine but you're still losing the bar, try barbell straps.2
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Chalk and mixed grip. Hook grip almost sheared my thumb nail off. I do 3x3-8 depending on the week.
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I typically hit anywhere from 3-8 reps depending on what type of training I'm aiming for at the time. I've gone as high as 12 but I didn't like going that high with DLs. Do you do double overhand or mixed? I usually do warm up sets with double overhand and switch to mixed grip for heavy sets or high rep sets. Also chalk is awesome!
When I was starting out I had a huge grip issue, bent over bb rows (3-5 rep range) helped, as did deadlift holds. On my last rep in each set I would hold the bar until grip was about to fail, then set it down. Didn't take long for my grip to improve.1 -
This has helped me immensely, it's always in my bag:
I almost always use it on back day.
Maybe use straps when your grip starts failing.
Also, why 8 reps?
I don't see the need to go above 6 reps.
My personal opinion btw.
I see it primarily as a strength exercise.
6 sets of 4-6 is my usual goto.
Look into chalk/liquid chalk (it's less messy than chalk) and straps.
If you want to work on your grip:
Farmers walks and plain old dumbbell rows did the job for me.
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I typically hit anywhere from 3-8 reps depending on what type of training I'm aiming for at the time. I've gone as high as 12 but I didn't like going that high with DLs. Do you do double overhand or mixed? I usually do warm up sets with double overhand and switch to mixed grip for heavy sets or high rep sets. Also chalk is awesome!
When I was starting out I had a huge grip issue, bent over bb rows (3-5 rep range) helped, as did deadlift holds. On my last rep in each set I would hold the bar until grip was about to fail, then set it down. Didn't take long for my grip to improve.
I do double overhand. what kind of warm up set do you recommend? admittedly, I don't do any warm ups and I'm realizing that's bad....0 -
I do 3 1x5 warm-up sets, and then a 1x5 set at my 5RM weight. Each jump is about 12.5% higher than the previous (I have a spreadsheet that does all that stuff for me -- I don't try to do it in my head). The heavier the working weight, generally the fewer the warmups, so you're not exhausted by the time your get to the final set of pulls. I'm with @Kimo159 - on my final rep of my working weight set, I'll hold grip until I feel it about to fail before finishing the rep (still lifting DOH). But I'm only pulling 1.5x body weight at the moment -- I'm sure I'll have to come up with other approaches as I go up in weight.0
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i pull sets of 1 when it gets heavy. My warm up sets are from 8 down to 5 down to 3, and then some really heavy singles. A good deadlift needs a clean fresh set up before pulling.
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Same thing as everyone says, use chalk, mixed grip, use warm up sets....if they still get fatigued too quickly, start doing farmers carry or anything to improve grip strength. That is the best thing about deadlifts, it tests all of your bodies strength.0
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bmarge10288 wrote: »I typically hit anywhere from 3-8 reps depending on what type of training I'm aiming for at the time. I've gone as high as 12 but I didn't like going that high with DLs. Do you do double overhand or mixed? I usually do warm up sets with double overhand and switch to mixed grip for heavy sets or high rep sets. Also chalk is awesome!
When I was starting out I had a huge grip issue, bent over bb rows (3-5 rep range) helped, as did deadlift holds. On my last rep in each set I would hold the bar until grip was about to fail, then set it down. Didn't take long for my grip to improve.
I do double overhand. what kind of warm up set do you recommend? admittedly, I don't do any warm ups and I'm realizing that's bad....
My warm ups right now are pretty much exactly what @hill8570 said. I'm doing sets of 3 for working sets right now so I start at about 65% for 1x5, 1x3 @ 77.5%, 1x2 @ 90 and then on to my working sets. If I was working with a 5RM I would adjust my warm up reps accordingly. Also, since your doing DOH I would just give mixed grip a try.0 -
I typically don't do warm up sets. I do cardio to get my blood flowing and muscles and joints lubricated and then go right into my working sets. I also stick to a 75% working load for my sets and do moderate reps (typically between 8-10). It works for me and I've seen a lot of growth from it. If my strength plateaus, then I just change it up for a week or two doing either lower reps 90% max or higher reps 50% max to keep the muscles guessing. However, my lifts aren't for strengths but for aesthetics.0
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stronglifts calls for just one set of 5 reps for deadlift, but I was trained to do the mixed grip thing and I have some OCD tendencies which means I can't deal with doing 3 reps with one wrist forward and only 2 with the other wrist forward so I do 1x6 instead. lol.1
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ObsidianMist wrote: »stronglifts calls for just one set of 5 reps for deadlift, but I was trained to do the mixed grip thing and I have some OCD tendencies which means I can't deal with doing 3 reps with one wrist forward and only 2 with the other wrist forward so I do 1x6 instead. lol.
SL calls for a single set of 5 for the working weight (heavy) set. You still should do warm-up sets.1 -
does SL actually have a warmup routine? I don't recall ever seeing anything about that. I actually added my own warmup to my workouts but I don't remember reading anything about a warmup.0
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ObsidianMist wrote: »does SL actually have a warmup routine? I don't recall ever seeing anything about that. I actually added my own warmup to my workouts but I don't remember reading anything about a warmup.
http://stronglifts.com/5-rules-to-find-your-perfect-warm-up-weight/
The app figures it all out for you (can't remember if it's one of the paid add-ons, 'tho...been a while since I was running SL).1 -
What are your goals and what does the rest of your program look like?
As far as grip goes, chalk or liquid chalk or mixed grip or hook grip or some combination of those things.
Nobody is going to be able to make specific set and rep suggestions (accurately) without knowing your goals and what the remaining program looks like.1 -
Do as many reps/sets as you can with your double overhand as this will continue to build grip strength, but then switch to mixed grip when you need to. I try and do all of my warm-up sets as double over and then anything over 300 with mixed grip, but that's just me.0
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mangamadayan wrote: »I am at the stage where I do mixed grip on 315 lbs and straight grip on 275 or less.
My routine is like:
6 x 5 for 315lbs
7 x 6 for 275lbs
I flip back and forth, depending on stamina levels for the day, depending on how much energy I feel like I have.
My ambition is to do 405lbs one day. Not many do that. A jock did that once and I was impressed and jealous. Not sure if I will ever get to that point but it looked pretty difficult. He did 4 reps at one go.
As for the OP, 8 is a little too high. 5-6 is a good number. Deads can be draining.
That's a more than reasonable number- I'd can count 10 people off in my head who can pull that at my gym.
Keep training. It's a more realistic goal than you think.0 -
mangamadayan wrote: »Yep, I am confident I am going to get there. Many moons ago when I was doing 135 lbs, 300 was unimaginable. I keep telling myself, it's a matter of time.
Typically I test the waters by adding 10lbs increments. The thing is I don't feel like I am ready to increment yet.
Oh and I also increase the height of deadlifts. I mean, I place four 45lbs two on each side to create a platform. And then I lift standing on top of it. More range as the bend happens to be longer.
But I haven't pulled this stunt with the 315 coz my worst fear is a back injury. When I lift off the platform, I lose form a bit if I am not paying attention. Anyone does this? Is it even worth raising the platform?
Other guys tell me to use the belt but I am strongly against using belts.
What you are doing by standing on plates is called deficit pulls, but you can't go as heavy, they are good for that lower range. You can also place the weights on plates/platforms (like pin pulls in the squat rack) for overloaded lifts for working on your lockout. I train like this all the time, but i wouldn't really suggest standing on plates, find something more stable and flat to stand on, like a stack of those hard rubber mats. We have plywood nailed together to create a stable platform. When you get heavy that kinda stuff matters. And when i do deficit pulls i dont bend over more, i squat down deeper. if you are bending over , your form isn't right. you should squat down deep and use your legs
A belt would help, but the right belt, not one of those cheap thin leather belts hanging in the gym for anyone to use. Be open to pulling with a belt, there are a great tool when you use them correctly.1 -
mangamadayan wrote: »Yep, I am confident I am going to get there. Many moons ago when I was doing 135 lbs, 300 was unimaginable. I keep telling myself, it's a matter of time.
Typically I test the waters by adding 10lbs increments. The thing is I don't feel like I am ready to increment yet.
Oh and I also increase the height of deadlifts. I mean, I place four 45lbs two on each side to create a platform. And then I lift standing on top of it. More range as the bend happens to be longer.
But I haven't pulled this stunt with the 315 coz my worst fear is a back injury. When I lift off the platform, I lose form a bit if I am not paying attention. Anyone does this? Is it even worth raising the platform?
Other guys tell me to use the belt but I am strongly against using belts.
Squats and calories will help increase your deadlift. I solid *strength* program like SL5x5, starting strength or 5/3/1 can get you there in relatively short order. What's your bodyweight, because that does play a role. I never lifted weights before June 2014 and hit 405 on DL by Christmas of that year.
As far as platform, what you're really doing is called a deficit deadlift. I've seen lots of guys do them and I've done them once or twice. Generally I've seen most guys do them from a 3-4" box that we have at the gym rather than from plates. Seems a little more stable at higher weights. I believe that their more an accessory to try and help with sticking points, much like rack pulls. So if you struggle to get the weight off of the ground, you might do deficit, whereas if you struggle to get from your knees to lockout you'd do rack pull.
Just got myself back up to 405 this morning at a BW of 190ish. So far I've had trouble hitting that at a lower bodyweight.0 -
mangamadayan wrote: »I have to correct that sentence. I actually meant to say squat down more. But you are right, I tend to lose form because the raise makes me lean over towards the end of the set, on 4 or 5.
I used a few rubber mats and they kind of press in with the heavy weight and that is why I started using plates. The plates are pretty clingy to each other so that helps.
But thanks for the tip. I will reduce the weights on the deficit pull. I don't regularly do the deficit. Sometimes I feel like it (if I feel the stamina) and I do deficits for the last 2 sets.
Still conflicted on the belt. Some people on the internet think they are harmful and deter core strength, like using gloves for weights.
An alternative to raising yourself is lowering the bar. On deficit day I load 35's as the primary plates rather than 45s. That way all other positioning is the same.0 -
oh no , a belt properly used will make your core super strong. You use it to brace your core against it, and you can get so much more core power, your lift will feel turbo boosted. Most people dont know how to use a belt, They allow you to engage your core harder and stronger than you could otherwise, and your abs will feel it the next day.1
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ObsidianMist wrote: »does SL actually have a warmup routine? I don't recall ever seeing anything about that. I actually added my own warmup to my workouts but I don't remember reading anything about a warmup.
http://stronglifts.com/5-rules-to-find-your-perfect-warm-up-weight/
The app figures it all out for you (can't remember if it's one of the paid add-ons, 'tho...been a while since I was running SL).
oh. I just got the info on what to do from the website and don't use the app because I have a *kitten* 4+ year old phone that doesn't have any room on it for more apps than what I already have.0 -
mangamadayan wrote: »I am at the stage where I do mixed grip on 315 lbs and straight grip on 275 or less.
My routine is like:
6 x 5 for 315lbs
7 x 6 for 275lbs
I flip back and forth, depending on stamina levels for the day, depending on how much energy I feel like I have.
My ambition is to do 405lbs one day. Not many do that. A jock did that once and I was impressed and jealous. Not sure if I will ever get to that point but it looked pretty difficult. He did 4 reps at one go.
As for the OP, 8 is a little too high. 5-6 is a good number. Deads can be draining.
I don't understand this. Are you just doing those two weights as your working sets? Where's the progression?
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Cutaway_Collar wrote: »Thanks for tips, folks. McCloud, high five on the 405. What was your rep/set ratio like?
Sonya, will look into the belt. Thanks!
@cutaway_collar Thanks, When I got up over 400 the first time I was just doing SL 5x5. Right now I'm doing a hybrid SL5x5 but doing a 20rep squat progression instead of the 5x5 working sets for Squats.mangamadayan wrote: »I am at the stage where I do mixed grip on 315 lbs and straight grip on 275 or less.
My routine is like:
6 x 5 for 315lbs
7 x 6 for 275lbs
I flip back and forth, depending on stamina levels for the day, depending on how much energy I feel like I have.
My ambition is to do 405lbs one day. Not many do that. A jock did that once and I was impressed and jealous. Not sure if I will ever get to that point but it looked pretty difficult. He did 4 reps at one go.
As for the OP, 8 is a little too high. 5-6 is a good number. Deads can be draining.
I don't understand this. Are you just doing those two weights as your working sets? Where's the progression?
I think what TROberts is questioning is why would you only continue doing the same weights (275 or 315). If you want to lift more weights, you need some sort of progressive lifting program like SL, starting strength, 5/3/1, etc...0 -
I like to keep it short, sweet and heavy on the dead lift. I do a set of 5, a set of 3 and my 1 rep max and that's it. I find if I do more it takes it out of me to the point my future workouts suffer.0
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