Looking for DL Critique

I’m currently running the Beginner template. Last week I had a great deadlift session and hit 335 ×4 @ rpe 7.5 - 8. So I decided to try 345 this week.

I immediately felt like my lower back felt weird. No pain or discomfort but it definitely felt different than usual.

I’ve always had trouble with my deadlift form, especially at the bottom. I have wide hips so I have to wear my belt higher up than most people. I don’t normally wear my belt when I DL but I did for this attempt.

I’m not sure if it’s my form, lack of mobility, belt placement or maybe I jumped the gun on the 10 pound increase. I’ve also been told I have long legs. Any constructive criticism is appreciated.

Just for added info I’m 6ft tall and weigh 160lbs.

This is my 345 with belt

Just in case it helps I also have a recording from 2 months ago where I did 325 × 4 beltless.

Hi there,

I will not give much advice on form, because I am not qualified to do so. But you mention that you keep having trouble at the bottom, which is unsurprising to me after watching your video. If you want to improve at the bottom of the lift, you need to spend time at the bottom of the lift. This means drop the touch-and-go stuff and initiate every rep from a full stop. In other words, my advice is to practice your self-identified weakness more. I also think “pulling the slack out of the bar” could be a good cue for you.

Aside from that there is also a bit of jerkiness to your technique and your head/gaze moves around quite a bit, so like most of us you could probably benefit from working on patience and staying focused.

If you want more specific advice, I can highly recommend the form check service here on BBM from personal experience. And keep up the good work, your lifts seem strong and I would not worry about anatomy and mobility. Consistent and solid form comes with practice, not a particular set of anatomical features :slight_smile:


Edit: just to be clear, I really have no qualifications - I am just the garden variety barbell enthusiast.

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Glad to hear I could be of some help :slight_smile:

For what it’s worth, I think that weirdness you felt in your back came from jerking the bar at the bottom and that working on being more patient off the floor will take you a long way. So maybe focus on that for a bit, and then do a form check or some coaching later. I was amazed at how much sensible feedback I got on a video I sent in of a 1 rep deadlift. For me it was mainly a confirmation that my own analysis of that lift was on point, but it boosted my confidence something royally - best $20 I ever spent!