Deadlifts: The King of Exercises

Image: Robertson Training

In the weight-lifting realm deadlifts reign king.

With the exception of squats, deadlifts are far and away the best all-around exercise that exists. They build an all-around powerful, muscular, shredded physique faster than any other exercise can. It’s essentially cheating the weight-lifting system.

If you’re a woman — don’t fret, deadlifts are equally beneficial. They absolutely SHRED body fat, and in terms of building muscle, they’ll put it in all of your favorite places — the butt, legs, and back.

Here’s the full 101 on the benefits of deadlifting, how to deadlift the RIGHT way, and a few different flavors of deadlifts to infuse a little variety into your training routine.

The Many Benefits of Deadlifting

1. Deadlifts burn a ton of calories and absolutely blast body fat
2. Deadlifts build massive forearm and grip strength
3. Deadlifts improve posture
4. Deadlifts build total body strength
5. Deadlifts work many muscle groups in one simple movement: the calves, quads, hamstrings, butt, arms, core, lower/middle/upper back, traps, and shoulders
6. Deadlifts sculpt the entire core — obliques, upper abs, lower abs, transverse absominis (aka the inner abs, which sucks everything in tight)
7. Deadlifts blast the hamstrings and butt. They’re one of the best exercises to do if you want a phenomenal ass
8. Deadlifts increase the release of muscle-building hormones, such as HGH and testosterone
9. Deadlifts are extremely safe when done with correct form. Unlike squats or the bench press, you don’t risk being pinned under a heavy weight. If your forearms or back give out you can bail and drop the weight safely
10. Deadlifts prevent injury. They strengthen the back and prevent lower back pain
11. Deadlifts have practical, real life application. Have you ever lifted a heavy TV or box off the floor? You’re deadlifting. Start deadlifting and impress your friends, spouse, or grandma the next time they ask for volunteers to move something heavy
12. Deadlifts are a high-intensity cardiovascular workout. They work your heart and help raise VO2Max — your body’s ability to transport and use oxygen during exercise (it’s an indicator of your level of cardiovascular fitness).
13. Deadlifts require very limited equipment. All you need is a barbell and some plates. Dumbbells work too

Pages: Benefits | How To Deadlift | Other Varieties

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Bryan DiSanto

Owner & Editor-in-Chief at Lean It UP

Bryan DiSanto is the Owner & Editor-in-Chief of Lean It UP, a culinary student at Le Cordon Bleu – Paris, an ACE-CPT & CSN, NYU graduate, ex-fat kid, and all-around fitness/nutrition nutjob.

He also contributes to Men's Health Magazine.

When he’s not working on his (or somebody else’s) abs, whipping up Eggocados, or running a Tough Mudder, he’s probably off yelling at a Carolina Panthers game somewhere.

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