Deadlift and your shins.

[Crayons]

Hi, I wanted to know if I'm doing the deadlift correctly or not.
I'm really getting into doing deadlifts, but I wanted to know if what I read, "try to let the bar slide across your shins", is correct or not. Since it's summer time and going to the gym in shorts, I come out with my shins red when I put more weight for myself, thanks.

 

[Marat]

There's more to the movement than that one statement, so we can't completely offer our opinion on your form without video or at least more details.

But from Starting Strength :

"The closer the bar is to the point of drive against the ground, the easier it is to pull, and the closest it can get to this place is touching the shins. Make sure the bar is touching the skin or the socks before it leaves the floor. It is not necessary to bump the shins with the bar, or dig a ditch in the shins on the way up. Good control of the weight is necessary to avoid this, and it should be avoided or sores get established on the shins that will be a problem for a long time -- every time the trainee deadlifts he will break the sore open and make a big mess on his socks or worse, the bar."

 

[Gazhole]

This happened to me today, opening up the wounds from last week. Got a PR, but my leg was a tad bloody . Never used to have this problem doing regular style, but since i'm doing sumo stance these days it really drags up my shins.

I learned how to stop it happening with the closer stance, so its just gonna take a bit of practice to get it right with sumo stance now.

Just give it some time and practice. Like m11 said, it could be a problem with your form, or it could just be a minor thing like bar control.

Post a vid of your technique.

 

[danzik17]

I actually knock the top of my knee on the way down more than I drag it on my shins.

For the form, I was told this by a powerlifter at my gym and it REALLY helped me get better form (previously shitty).

If you know how to squat well, pretend that the deadlift is just a squat that starts from the bottom. I actually do a bodyweight squat to get in good position, then roll the bar a bit to the right position and begin. I haven't hurt myself at ALL since I started doing it that way unlike before when I constantly hurt myself.

 

[juggernaut]

This happened to me today, opening up the wounds from last week. Got a PR, but my leg was a tad bloody . Never used to have this problem doing regular style, but since i'm doing sumo stance these days it really drags up my shins.

waahhhhhhhhhh

you big pussy!! Get a tampon for the bleeding.

 

[juggernaut]

In all seriousness crayons, post a side video of you doing it. When I train my clients I stand to the side to get a better vantage point. Unless its a hottie, then I get to the back for far more superior view of the client so that I can assist and make a better and more positive recommendation to her. And, if I must, grab her ass and smack it like a porn star. Of course, this is done for professional integrity and safety of the client.

 

[Gazhole]

waahhhhhhhhhh

you big pussy!! Get a tampon for the bleeding.

Hey, my band-aid had a picture of a tiger on it. Thats pretty fucking badass, dude.

 

[juggernaut]

sure. Mine was a hello kitty. I bet my kitty can beat your tiger.

 

[ALBOB]

Chicks dig scars.

 

[Crayons]

juggernaut I think we all believe you when you smack their ass' in all professionalism!!!

On the form, I try to do it as close as it could be to a squat. I don't bounce nor drop the bar on my shins/knees, just during the lift it sorta drags a bit over them. Luckily nothing has happen to me like Gazhole lol.
Well on thursday Imma do Dead lifts, so I'll take my cam.

 

[powerrack]

Hi, I wanted to know if I'm doing the deadlift correctly or not.
I'm really getting into doing deadlifts, but I wanted to know if what I read, "try to let the bar slide across your shins", is correct or not. Since it's summer time and going to the gym in shorts, I come out with my shins red when I put more weight for myself, thanks.

Your shins will get used to it. This is common for a lot of people who deadlift. When I was doing some serious full deadlifts, I used baby powder on my shins, it helps. Not everyone is a close shin deadlifter, I find it to be the safest to keep heavy weight close to your body in that position.

 

[gtbmed]

TMUSCLE.com | Dead Zone

#6,8, & 10

 

[Merkaba]

soccer shin guards or a maxi-pad, or towel. i don't like scars. I usually use one of the maxi/sissy pads at the gym.

 

[Merkaba]

TMUSCLE.com | Dead Zone

#6,8, & 10

Awesome article!

 

[juggernaut]

you guys are all pussies!!!! Enjoy them, relish them, be proud. Stand tall bitches!!

 

[Nate K]

A closer stance has helped me with a better deadlift and I don't make them bleed anymore.

 

[The Monkey Man]

I have the Rehband knee supports,
and slide them down to my calves
when doing heavy DL's...

They work as great protectors.

Or you can just wear thick knee socks.

If you care about getting bar rash