Great advice. Ive gotten into fights before about chalk and straps... Yes, its great to be able to deadlift without needing it, but for most people (especially as you get stronger and need more weight to keep improving) you will almost certainly need chalk or straps at some point. Ive ripped off calluses before because of not using chalk (it was a gym policy not to use it). It left a huge divot in my palm that made it very painful to grip anything for the next 4 weeks and it also bled everywhere. Gym policy was to not use chalk because its messy... but bleeding everywhere is messy too. Switch grip is a decent alternative, but you risk your biceps when going reallly heavy in switch. Hook grip is good too, but very painful and it literally feels like your thumb nail could be pulled off (I've had nails pulled off before, not fun).
I was banned from a snap fitness for deadlifting on their very own rogue deadlift platform and using a little chalk, despite cleaning all of it. They never even said anything to my face they just emailed me and turned off my key fob, was 2 days after they billed me for march and they didn't refund the $50. Commercial gyms are so stupid they just exist to rip off people that aren't serious about lifting
Thanks very much, and I prefer regular straps to figure 8s, but to be fair, I do know some people who really love the figure 8s. My pair is the same pair that I made about seven or eight years ago (I’ve lost track at this point), and it’s the type that we make for all our members: DIY Lifting Straps in 1 Minute! ua-cam.com/video/vfqbS4CJx4s/v-deo.html
And i don't understand, Here in the UK you are allowed to use chalk in commercial and certainly powerlifting gyms, Also It 100% improves your lifts. Good form and technique is paramount! 6 plates and a little bit extra a side is impressive dude.
Thanks for the kind words, and that’s great to hear about gyms in the UK always allowing chalk. Don’t get me wrong - there are plenty of commercial gyms in the U.S. that do indeed allow chalk, but sadly, there are plenty that don’t.
Sure, and that's how some people do it. But you've got to maintain that brace whilst your body isn't loaded, and you might be messing around with winding straps around the bar, etc. You don't want to gas out before you've even lifted anything.
@@Mikey__Rit is not only about the brace, which I can retighten atvthe bottom but more the stacked position, which is easier to get the while standing….
For most people, it is less efficient to brace at the top. They usually lose the bracing effect when they bend over to grab the bar, and they are even more likely to lose the bracing effect when they take a breath right before getting set to pull. It can be done, so it’s certainly not a make or break deal, but in general, it’s just extra effort to do and hold something early on that really doesn’t need to be done and held until right before pulling. As a sidenote, in some rare instances, it may be beneficial for larger guys or gals to do this since the belly can pose some problems once they get bent over.
@dennisj4945 just helps you hold onto the bar better at heavier weights. People with long fingers are able to hook grip very heavy weights, but the rest of us can't, so we do alternate grip.
I am 65yrs old and never lifted in my life and the past 6yrs I have been mostly inactive. I decided to start lifting as a way to slow down the effects of Sarcopenia. Was hoping your videos would help me get started with proper technique. Unfortunately, I see you are only interested in folks already having established strength and choose to ridicule the novice that really needs the help. I am just at 135 for the dead lift now and find it challenging. I guess that makes me ridiculous and silly.
TallVagabond66, that's great that you've started lifting to fight off sarcopenia. I'm not sure if you were joking or not about the part where you say "only interested in folks already having established strength and choose to ridicule the novice that really needs the help" (as we specialize in helping people of all ages get stronger, and my favorite group of people to work with is people in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and older), but in case you were being serious, you might find a few of our more recent videos quite helpful, and I've also linked to our "How to Start Lifting" series of videos: 8 Reasons for Older Adults to Get Stronger in 2025! (and the BEST way to do it!) ua-cam.com/video/wbm8UNLbCPI/v-deo.html The BEST Single Device to Prevent Frailty in Older Adults ua-cam.com/video/JjhyQGbD0Os/v-deo.html 4 Reasons Why Every Senior Should Squat & How to Do It (PLUS Bad Squat Advice & Myths to Ignore) ua-cam.com/video/x5dLlYo1faI/v-deo.html 4 Simple Exercises to Get Stronger, Feel Better, and Have More Energy in 2025 ua-cam.com/video/JOixvXFDJQk/v-deo.html "How to Start Lifting" series: How to Start Lifting: Learn to Squat ua-cam.com/video/iDWIeTVoGG8/v-deo.html How to Start Lifting: Learn to Deadlift ua-cam.com/video/neXJ6yguxVw/v-deo.html How to Start Lifting: Learn to Press ua-cam.com/video/auka4vZ4xag/v-deo.html How to Start Lifting: Learn to Bench Press ua-cam.com/video/edsQRczKn2Y/v-deo.html How to Start Lifting | Your First Workout ua-cam.com/video/pfk6LtoliLA/v-deo.html I hope this helps!
@@TestifySC I didn’t say it but you inferred it. Above the clip of Mike lifting 135 you captioned that it was silly inefficient and ridiculous. In an interview with Lee Haney 8-time Mr. Olympia he states that it is the quality of the lift not the quantity that counts. Also, Lou Ferrigno said he never worried about how much weight was on the bar and many times used half of what he could lift because he new it was long term progress and needed to set up a good foundation with good technique first.
@@tallvagabond6682it looked like he was demonstrating technique flaws, not ridiculing the gentleman. He had the guy demonstrating it with 135 just to prevent him from getting hurt.
Very good info/knowlege and tips with good demostrations 👍
Thanks very much, Dean!
@TestifySC Your welcome!
Great stuff thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome, Tony, and thanks for the kind words!
Great advice. Ive gotten into fights before about chalk and straps...
Yes, its great to be able to deadlift without needing it, but for most people (especially as you get stronger and need more weight to keep improving) you will almost certainly need chalk or straps at some point.
Ive ripped off calluses before because of not using chalk (it was a gym policy not to use it). It left a huge divot in my palm that made it very painful to grip anything for the next 4 weeks and it also bled everywhere. Gym policy was to not use chalk because its messy... but bleeding everywhere is messy too.
Switch grip is a decent alternative, but you risk your biceps when going reallly heavy in switch. Hook grip is good too, but very painful and it literally feels like your thumb nail could be pulled off (I've had nails pulled off before, not fun).
Thanks very much, and yep, the "no chalk at the gym" policies drive me batty. It's a gym - chalk should be a given.
I was banned from a snap fitness for deadlifting on their very own rogue deadlift platform and using a little chalk, despite cleaning all of it. They never even said anything to my face they just emailed me and turned off my key fob, was 2 days after they billed me for march and they didn't refund the $50. Commercial gyms are so stupid they just exist to rip off people that aren't serious about lifting
Sorry to hear about that - that’s an annoying experience, to say the least.
Simple, great.
Thanks for the kind words!
Good info. Do you prefer regular wraps or figure 8's? To me the fig. 8 wraps dig into my wrists more
Thanks very much, and I prefer regular straps to figure 8s, but to be fair, I do know some people who really love the figure 8s.
My pair is the same pair that I made about seven or eight years ago (I’ve lost track at this point), and it’s the type that we make for all our members:
DIY Lifting Straps in 1 Minute!
ua-cam.com/video/vfqbS4CJx4s/v-deo.html
And i don't understand, Here in the UK you are allowed to use chalk in commercial and certainly powerlifting gyms, Also It 100% improves your lifts. Good form and technique is paramount!
6 plates and a little bit extra a side is impressive dude.
Thanks for the kind words, and that’s great to hear about gyms in the UK always allowing chalk. Don’t get me wrong - there are plenty of commercial gyms in the U.S. that do indeed allow chalk, but sadly, there are plenty that don’t.
"You have to do better"
"Mind your own business"
"Do NOT move the bar"
Amen.
😀
Penitentiary calisthenics routines daily.
Save your back.
Wouldn‘t a set up with bracing while standing not being more efficient than setting the core at the bottom?
Sure, and that's how some people do it. But you've got to maintain that brace whilst your body isn't loaded, and you might be messing around with winding straps around the bar, etc.
You don't want to gas out before you've even lifted anything.
@@Mikey__Rit is not only about the brace, which I can retighten atvthe bottom but more the stacked position, which is easier to get the while standing….
For most people, it is less efficient to brace at the top. They usually lose the bracing effect when they bend over to grab the bar, and they are even more likely to lose the bracing effect when they take a breath right before getting set to pull.
It can be done, so it’s certainly not a make or break deal, but in general, it’s just extra effort to do and hold something early on that really doesn’t need to be done and held until right before pulling.
As a sidenote, in some rare instances, it may be beneficial for larger guys or gals to do this since the belly can pose some problems once they get bent over.
No advantage to underhand + overhand grip?
@dennisj4945 just helps you hold onto the bar better at heavier weights. People with long fingers are able to hook grip very heavy weights, but the rest of us can't, so we do alternate grip.
keep scrutinizing your deadlift technique so by the time you are 65 years old you too can deadlift 135# proper form
I am 65yrs old and never lifted in my life and the past 6yrs I have been mostly inactive. I decided to start lifting as a way to slow down the effects of Sarcopenia. Was hoping your videos would help me get started with proper technique. Unfortunately, I see you are only interested in folks already having established strength and choose to ridicule the novice that really needs the help. I am just at 135 for the dead lift now and find it challenging. I guess that makes me ridiculous and silly.
TallVagabond66, that's great that you've started lifting to fight off sarcopenia. I'm not sure if you were joking or not about the part where you say "only interested in folks already having established strength and choose to ridicule the novice that really needs the help" (as we specialize in helping people of all ages get stronger, and my favorite group of people to work with is people in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and older), but in case you were being serious, you might find a few of our more recent videos quite helpful, and I've also linked to our "How to Start Lifting" series of videos:
8 Reasons for Older Adults to Get Stronger in 2025! (and the BEST way to do it!)
ua-cam.com/video/wbm8UNLbCPI/v-deo.html
The BEST Single Device to Prevent Frailty in Older Adults
ua-cam.com/video/JjhyQGbD0Os/v-deo.html
4 Reasons Why Every Senior Should Squat & How to Do It (PLUS Bad Squat Advice & Myths to Ignore)
ua-cam.com/video/x5dLlYo1faI/v-deo.html
4 Simple Exercises to Get Stronger, Feel Better, and Have More Energy in 2025
ua-cam.com/video/JOixvXFDJQk/v-deo.html
"How to Start Lifting" series:
How to Start Lifting: Learn to Squat
ua-cam.com/video/iDWIeTVoGG8/v-deo.html
How to Start Lifting: Learn to Deadlift
ua-cam.com/video/neXJ6yguxVw/v-deo.html
How to Start Lifting: Learn to Press
ua-cam.com/video/auka4vZ4xag/v-deo.html
How to Start Lifting: Learn to Bench Press
ua-cam.com/video/edsQRczKn2Y/v-deo.html
How to Start Lifting | Your First Workout
ua-cam.com/video/pfk6LtoliLA/v-deo.html
I hope this helps!
@@TestifySC I didn’t say it but you inferred it. Above the clip of Mike lifting 135 you captioned that it was silly inefficient and ridiculous. In an interview with Lee Haney 8-time Mr. Olympia he states that it is the quality of the lift not the quantity that counts. Also, Lou Ferrigno said he never worried about how much weight was on the bar and many times used half of what he could lift because he new it was long term progress and needed to set up a good foundation with good technique first.
@@tallvagabond6682it looked like he was demonstrating technique flaws, not ridiculing the gentleman. He had the guy demonstrating it with 135 just to prevent him from getting hurt.
So, there is NO POSSIBLE WAY you can injure your back?
Of course there is.