Alas...I Fear Deadlifts Just Aren't For Me

[kyoun1e]

I think I've communicated my history of a ruptured disc in my lower back a few years ago. It's been a constant thorn in my side ever since. Every now and then, I'll get spasms down there for whatever reason. It hasn't slowed me down in the gym, but it makes me fearful of certain exercises.

Like deadlifts.

I started doing them about a month ago. Real light weight just to get into the groove. I actually moved to the sumo style a couple of weeks ago and liked it.

Today, like a dope, I pushed it a little bit and also switched to the normal deadlift sytle and..."pop." There go the spasms.

It's a bummer too. I basically have gone from the bar only to 135 lbs in a month.

I want to strengthen my back, but I'm wondering if I should stay the course or just find something else that does a similar job. I'm already doing squats and lunges with no adverse effects on the lower back.

Would be interested in what others think I should do with deads here.

Thanks.

KY

 

[P-funk]

why do deadlifts of back squats if you have a back that is bad like that?

stick with single leg exercises and 1-leg RDLs to challenge your leg strength and perform stabilization exercises to enhance the function of your core musculature.

patrick

 

[workhard1]

Deadlifts leave me hobbling for 2 days after do them every week. That is why I do them on Friday when I have saturday and sunday as non lift days. The truth is deadlifts are just a really hard exercise on your body. If you have had an injury to your back then you are really up shits creek. Listen to P-Funk. he is the master.

 

[kyoun1e]

Squats don't seem to be a problem at all, but the deadlifts put a lot more stress on the lower back.

Man...back is stiffening up. Lots of ice and the spasms are usually gone after 1 or 2 days and I'm back like nothing happenned. That said, I probably need another option.

1 leg roman deadlifts? Don't know them. I'll youtube them.

Squats and lunges seem fine. Wan to work around this thing...and actually strengthen this area of weakness where possible.

Thanks for the help.

KY

 

[KelJu]

Yeah, same here. Dead lifts would have me fucked up for days after doing them, and my form was perfect. Some people just don't have the disc strength to hold up to deadlifts. Not doing them never seemed to hurt my overall progress so much as long as I kept squatting and bench pressing.

 

[Ngordyn]

i love deadlifts i live by them, but if i get any kind for back pain what so ever i take it easy that week or if the pain is bad enough i pass on them, they are my best lift yet its on of the only ones i don't push through even a little pain i am to worried about messing up my back.

i think if sumo works good for you and does not cause pain then stick to it, i find i use a lot less back on sumo which is why i don't use it, my lower back is a lot stonger then my legs

 

[Merkaba]

stop

 

[kyoun1e]

I should have stuck with sumo today. Decided to live dangerously.

I should probably just stick to squats, lunges (and ???) for now. I don't trust myself not to push it on deads.

Really pisses me off. This stupid injury has been a thorn in my side for like five years and it always seems to trip me up right when I'm gaining momentum.

KY

 

[highpockets]

I should have stuck with sumo today. Decided to live dangerously.

I should probably just stick to squats, lunges (and ???) for now. I don't trust myself not to push it on deads.

Before I started deads I worked by butt off doing hyperextensions, T-bar rows and every other back exercise to strengthen my muscles preparing for the deadlift. Just my opinion. It seemed to work for me because I used to have back problems too. Now I don't.

 

[Built]

I don't do back squats or off the floor deads or even rack pulls anymore because of my back. But front squats, walking lunges, Romanian deads, single leg RDLs and GHRs work great. There's always a work around.

Sorry to hear you're in pain now. Take care of yourself.

 

[RasPlasch]

Also have a somewhat bad back. Deadlifts hurt for me until I learned sumo deadlifts.

You said your body was fine with sumodeadifts. Maybe stick to those and keep it light?

 

[kyoun1e]

Well, day after back spasms. A little ice here and there and a simple walk gets and a hop in the hot tub and things feel much better. By tmrw, I bet I'm back doing some cardio and possibly even horizontal pull. This passes.

I think I'm done with any deadlift that has me going to the floor. I have a funny feeling that it was probably only a matter of time before the sumo got me.

Single leg deads look like an interesting option. Already have the lunges in there.

I really haven't felt much stress in the lower back with back squats. And I really don't want to give that up.

I think the bottom line is, I may have to keep it light on these. Which sucks because I'm trying to go heavy across the board.

KY

 

[Built]

Have you tried RDLs? Those work GREAT for me - nothing lifted from lower than mid-shin, everything kept close to the body, no torque on the lower back.

When your back settles down, if you think it's safe, maybe give 'em a try? NOT TOO HEAVY!!!

 

[kyoun1e]

I haven't, but I will. Probably next week. I've seen people do these with dumbells actually.

Light!

KY

 

[djk80]

"If it hurts don't do it"

You can feel a good deadleft of your muscles being worked same with any exercise.....If you feel pain it may not be for you