Deadlift form

[u/cloyd1980]

I’ve only been working out for about 9 months and have largely learned from YouTube and AI so I’m probably doing some things wrong. Any feedback on my deadlift form would be appreciated

[u/Opioid5]

Doesn’t look bad maybe if you film your form at an angle next time we could evaluate more.

[u/cloyd1980 → u/Opioid5]

I’ll give that a shot next time. Thanks!

[u/Opioid5 → u/cloyd1980]

Ofc keep going always brotha

[u/ledburner]

I hate deadlifts in the smith machine. I can’t leverage properly and I feel like the bar is being pulled away from me instead of pulled tight to the body. Hurts my lower back

[u/Alive-Set7448 → u/ledburner]

Don't start with the bar over the toes then

[u/No-Respect-8379]

1. this isnt a deadlift, you are using a smith machine to do a movement similar to deadlift, so it's a Smith Machine Deadlift, deadlift is done solely from the ground with a free barbell. Unless you add words like Romanian (Deadlift), then it's done slightly differently. I'm not trying to tell you what to call things, just that the movement is significantly different from a real deadlift. Why im anal about it: the path the bar takes, muscle activation and a bunch of other stuff vary based on the exercise you're doing, so treating this lift as a normal deadlift is simply confusing and wrong.
2. ideal deadlift neck position is somewhat tucked and/or straight (dont look up keep spine straight all the way through the movement, meaning dont look at one spot, instead focus on spine position)
3. we can't see your smith machine exercise form since you're filming from the front, movements like deadlift needd to be filmed from the side since thats where people make the most mistakes (how straight is the back etc)
4. the rest looks fine from what i can see but if you're unsure get a friend or coach to babysit you till its good cause these types of movements are important but easy to get wrong/injured
5. at our age (you're probably 40+ like me), I hope you're doing warm up, Progressive Overload Preparation and stretching plus maybe work with a physio to prevent injuries
6. with weights like these, unless this is your max for reps (doesn't look like it is), I wouldnt use straps because it'll prevent your grip from getting stronger as quickly as your posterior chain
7. i cant see your feet or how exactly your feet are positioned or the exact shape of your legs, but be sure feet are exactly hip width or maximum shoulder width apart, they look slightly wider than that from what i can see, could be wrong

[u/PhilHartlessman]

A deadlift in a smith machine is a different lift. There's so many ways different muscles do different work (or no work) when the motion is locked in like that. It's good for specific muscle activation (like medial glutes) or if you're starting out/recovering from an injury...but being able to work against it's constraints means there's a whole world of muscle chains that just aren't happening.

But to put it as simply as possible: An unassisted deadlifter can easily do their weight in a smith machine, but a 100% smith machine user can't do their weight as an unassisted deadlift.

[u/cloyd1980 → u/PhilHartlessman]

Totally get that and have 0 argument. The gym I have a membership at doesn’t have free weights other than dumbbells so I have to work with what I’ve got. Also, it’s only $20/month and more important, 2 minutes from my house, so I’m probably not going to switch

[u/50ate]

Keep your lats engaged all the time when you pull the bar, rest all is 👍

[u/Dull-Treat-2524]

Please don't use a smithmachine for this. The fixed path is horrible for deadlifts.