Hail to the Dinosaurs!
Two quick notes, and then we'll talk training --
and answer the seven most common questions
about the deadlift.
1. My Interview with Bill Hinbern
Is in five parts, and is available at my new
YouTube channel. Here's Part 1 -- after you
go there, you can link to parts 2 thru 5:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFIy3f80GIE
I hope you enjoy the interview. If you
do, please leave a comment. And if you
can, share the interview on Facebook
and other social media. Bill and I are
trying very hard to get the word out
about this project.
And, of course -- please subscribe to
my YouTube channel. We're going to be
posting lots of fun stuff for you.
2. My E-Books
Here is the complete list of all 11 of my
Dinosaur Training e-books on Kindle:
http://dinosaurtraining.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-complete-list-as-of-july-13-2015.html
Please post a review on our Kindle
page whenever you read one of our
e-books. The reviews really help us!
Also, it helps us *enormously* if you
visit our Kindle pages once in awhile
and rank the reviews from other
readers.
And now, let's talk iron.
The Seven Most Common Questions About
the Deadlift
Q. 1. Which builds more strength and muscle
mass -- the sumo deadlift or the regular
deadlift?
A. The sumo deadlift is more of a leg and hip
exercise. The regular deadlift works the back
harder and over a greater range of motion.
Some trainees can lift more weight in powerlifting
comps by using the sumo deadlift, but for all-
around strength and muscle building, the regular
deadlift is a better exercise.
Q. 2. Should I use a reverse grip when I do
deadlifts?
A. I prefer using a reverse grip on the deadlift.
You can handle more weight with a reverse
grip.
Alternate your grip from set to set.
The obvious exception would be a weightlifter
who is doing deadlifts to improve his clean and
his snatch. A weightlifter should always use an
overhand grip for any pulling exercise.
If you are doing stiff-legged deadlifts, you won't
be using as much weight as if you do bent-legged
deadlifts, so the overhand grip might work fine
for you.
Q. 3. Is it okay to use straps when I do deadlifts?
A. If you are an Olympic weightlifter, using straps
for deadlifts (if you do them) is okay. Everyone
else should skip the straps.
Q. 4. Are Trap Bar deadlifts any good?
A. Trap Bar deadlifts are a great exercise. Many
Dinos use them as their primary lower body
exercise. They are especially good for older
Dinos.
I like the ORIGINAL Gerard Trap Bar:
http://www.trapbartraining.com/
Q. 5. If I do squats, is it still necessary to
do deadlifts?
A. Even if you do squats, it is always better
to include a pulling exercise of some sort in
your training program. If you don't like the
deadlift, then try power cleans, power
snatches, clean grip high pulls, or snatch
grip high pulls.
Q. 6. Are stiff legged deadlifts safe and
effective?
A. They work well for some people. They
don't work very well for other people. You
can try them and see how you like them,
but if you do, start light and easy. And if
your back says, "No!" then stop doing
them, or do them with a light weight as
a stretching exercise.
Q. 7. Are dumbbell deadlifts any good?
A. I prefer using a barbell or a Trap Bar,
but you can get a heck of a workout with
dumbbell deadlifts. Some Dinos like to do
sets of 10 to 30 reps with a pair of heavy
dumbbells (80 to 100 pounders are good,
and a pair of 120s is excellent).
You get more range of motion with a pair
of dumbbells, so it becomes a very tough
exercise.
I hope that helps, and if you have more
questions about the deadlift, send them
on in!
As always, thanks for reading and have a
great day. If you train today, make it a
good one!
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. Strength, Muscle and Power has a great
chapter on deadlift variations for building
superhuman grip strength -- as well as
plenty of other old-school training advice:
http://www.brookskubik.com/strength_muscle_power.html
P.S. 2. My other books and courses -- and
links to my Kindle e-books -- are right
here at Dino Headquarters:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "There's strong, and
then there's deadlift strong." -- Brooks Kubik
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