Barbell Deadlifts
- Place a barbell in a clear space on the floor. (Make sure there are no obstructions in your way.
- Stand facing the barbell with your legs about 4-6 inches from the bar.
- Place your feet shoulder width apart.Your feet can be pointed straight ahead or turned outwards slightly.
- Squat down, keeping your back straight and grip the bar with an overhand grip at shoulder width.
- Keep your arms fully extended and stand up with the barbell.
- As you lift the barbell, your hips and shoulders should rise together and your back should be straight.
- As you reach the top of the lift and are standing straight, rotate your shoulders back slightly until you feel a slight stretch in them.
- Lower the barbell back to the floor in the same squatting motion you used to lift it.
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Related exercises to discover
Single / One Arm Dumbbell Bench Rows
Seated Lumbar Rotations / Chair Twists
Knee-to-Chest Lower Back Stretch
Barbell deadlifts is a gym exercise that targets lower back and also works abs and calves and forearms and glutes & hip flexors and hamstrings and quadriceps and upper back & lower traps. Use the illustration and instructions above to learn how to perform this exercise with proper form. Related exercises that work similar muscle groups include Single / one arm dumbbell bench rows, seated lumbar rotations / chair twists and knee-to-chest lower back stretch. Browse our free illustrated exercise directory for more exercises.
👉 Want to use this exercise in a full workout? Our WorkoutLabs Fit workout app lets you follow ready-made home and gym workout plans or build custom workouts with exercises like this. Try it free today.
Exercise illustration licensing: Our exercise and yoga pose illustrations (static and animated) are selectively available for licensing for commercial and non-commercial projects. Visit our exercise illustrations licensing page for detailed information and to submit in inquiry.
Follow ready-made home and gym plans with visual demos and timers – or create custom workouts from exercises like this.
Build illustrated workout plans for your clients in minutes – then share them as branded PDFs or interactive workouts.
Our illustrated Yoga Cards deck is the perfect way to start practicing at home – no class, no studio, no experience needed. 100,000+ sold.
