The last time I counted there were over 30 different variations of the deadlift. Many of them are spin offs of original lifts and if you are a deadlift enthusiast then you are probably intrigued in what these different lifts can achieve.
But it’s worth explaining my relationship with deadlifts if you’re not already aware. Basically, deadlifts saved me from a life of back pain, poor mobility and quitting playing all the sports that I love. And because of that I believe that it sorted out my mental health too.
A decent footballer as a teenager, I knew that I might not be able to continue playing the game I love with a passion due to the terrible sharp pains that I would get. This would sometimes be during a game but I could garauntee the pain for two or three days after the match. Playing against other 16 year olds who could train harder than me, move better than me and recover better than me was demoralising. My skill and application was there, but my back and the sharp pain that would drive down my butt and leg was excruciating. I simply couldn’t compete against them. They were fit kids. And even though I were the same age as them, I felt like an old man.
I quit playing football when I left school. Cigarettes, alcohol and the opposite sex didn’t give me extra back pain. That became my new sport. But the pain remained. Trying to put socks on, especially in winter when my back seemed to seize up more, was a task in itself.
As a young man in my late teens I began going to the gym often. I realized that I could still remain active by doing controlled movements, my running (which was always impressive in school competition) was still good and I found a zest for life again outside of nightclubs. This even lead me to want to join the army. I wanted to put myself up against their physical demands. I also needed a career and I was drifting at the time. A weekend at Penikuik barracks saw me fly through their trials. With hundreds of applicants I was one of the first to finish the cross country and I came first in the sit up bleep test. My competitive spirit meant that I’d probably be still completing the sit ups now had I not been told the test had finished.
However, in the back of my mind, I knew that the physical demands that I put on my body would catch up to me. On the Sunday evening, trying to hide the limp that accompanied the back pain, I walked into the Major’s office. He slid the contract in front of me. I had passed and he wanted me to sign into the army. I was desperate to sign. I didn’t know what civilian life had in store for me. I felt secure in army life. I had a purpose. My back pains had other ideas.
Back at home I managed to get a good, rewarding job within the Social Services, I continued with my gym training and I started to enjoy life. I thought that I had to live with the pain so it didn’t frustrate me like it once did. I just had to get on with it. But my training was all wrong. I know that now. The lure of the aesthetic training like my friends were doing was strong. I wanted the biceps, pecs and abs. This made me feel good, but it never addressed my injury. In fact I added to my injuries by chasing the aesthetics.
I began talking to trainers and gym owners. My mates were decent lads who trained hard but I had to ask professionals for advice. It took some time to convince me that deadlifts would help me. My thoughts were (even though it was me who approached them) that they just wanted my money. Also, just watching someone perform a deadlift triggered the shooting pain down my leg.
Over time we worked on my form. I got stronger. I built muscle in the affected areas. I moved better. After a year or two I could stand out of a chair without a grimace. I could put my socks on. I even started kickboxing. Surely that would cause my back pains to start again? I started playing golf. After my first tee off I fully expected to feel pain. But no. It felt good. Even just 3 years ago I played a full football match for the gym where I train. In my 40’s, I managed something that my teenage self could not physically do…play football and recover without pain.
Deadlifts still play a big part in my training. I know that my back injury is still lurking and ready to pounce. During the recent lockdowns when the gyms were closed I could feel the niggle was there. But the muscle that I had built over the years weren’t going to let me down.
I do exactly the same now as what those trainers did for me. I advise others on how to overcome their injuries, I enable them to perform exercises safely and productively and they become stronger and happier people. That’s my aim, because that’s what happened to me. Living life with pain is demoralising. It doesn’t just destroy your physical capabilities, but it affects the mental health. At times I felt useless.
It doesn’t really matter the age or background of a potential client. Within an hour of a consultation or a 1-1 session with me they will have performed some sort of deadlift. It could be a 20 year old wanting muscle hypertrophy, a 40 year old with back pain or an 80 year old trying to keep their independence. They will perform deadlifts with me. Weights, rep ranges, set and rest periods might differ, but they will be deadlifting.
Thanks for reading guys. Take care.
Shay PT.
Never Give Up PT 