Thread: Deadlifts

That also happened to me when I first started doing deads. It's only normal for your traps to be sore since you also use it to pull the deads weight up.

Ive been told that if you DONT feel it in your traps your not doing it right....good job!

Usually my lower back is the most sore from doing deadlifts but i think its common to a lot of people..as long as i can feel it in my traps then im fine.

I do straight/stiff-legged deadlifts and always feel it more in the lower back.

Do the two different variations (stiff / 'traditional') isolate different muscles? E.g. Do straight-legged deadlifts work the lower back more and 'traditional' deadlifts work the traps to a greater extent (as well as working the lower back etc.)? Obviously, I am aware that it is compound exercise that works a whole range of muscles, but does one place more emphasis on a certain group of muscles than the other??? Just wondering about that ...

Both work lower back, but stiff/straight-legged deads are ideal for working your hamstrings. Traditional dead lifts are the ultimate back exercise, and work your legs to an extent. Most do traditional on back day, and stiff legged on leg day.

OK - and thanks for clearing that one up ... maybe I'll give the 'traditional' deads a go on my back day.

Originally Posted by RikkiHoon

OK - and thanks for clearing that one up ... maybe I'll give the 'traditional' deads a go on my back day.

I alway do both regular and SLegged deads. I always do them on leg day too. I normally do back on Wednesdays and legs on Saturdays so its a nice way to hit the back a second time while working hams/glutes. As for the traps...some guys (me) purposely incorporate a shrug movement at the top of the lift to get some extra trap work.