I've been weight training for 54 of my 65 years, and along the way have probably studied virtually everything about the sport that has ever made it into print (and these days, on to video). But I've never encountered better, clearer, more helpful and more knowledgeable instruction than what you provide. As far as I'm concerned, you have set the standard for teaching people how to train. GREAT stuff!
Cheers for the Video! Apologies for the intrusion, I would appreciate your opinion. Have you heard about - Millawdon Muscles Mountain Trick (Sure I saw it on Google)? It is an awesome exclusive product for learning an effective strength training program to get fast results minus the hard work. Ive heard some extraordinary things about it and my work buddy finally got astronomical success with it.
He’s a great learner, approaches with humility, which is why his explanations are so excellent, plus funny. Almost makes me want to go to Sacramento....almost.
you can never have enough information on how to dead lift that's why this is the king of all lifts and Alan it's the best at explaining every step plus I always finish watching his videos with a smile in my face, now time to hit the gym and grab that bar! 💪💪
I listened to your key teaching point the other day (regarding keeping your glenohumeral joint directly over the bar). Despite it feeling slightly unnatural (likely due to the old ingrained neural motor learning pattern), my deadlift sets went really well and I felt much stronger. Thanks dude.
First comment after watching practically all of your videos, several times. You offer the best training advice I ever found (print and video); I’m a 51 year-old “intermediate novice”. I only add this here because I enjoy your humor: instead of three sets, you should suggest 4 sets of farmer’s walks. An even number takes us back to our starting spot. I did three and didn’t know how to get back. But I’m just a beginner. 😎 thanks for all your advice! Semper Fi
They have taught me alot in the military over the years but whenever some of my soldiers wants me to help them get stronger you videos are my source on how to get the point across, not the military training manual.
Alan, I'm a new viewer to your channel, and I was instantly hooked on your videos. I've already watched a fair share of them, especially on deadlifting. I'm not a powerlifter by all means, but what I like about your videos is your understanding that your way isn't the only way; to take your information as a guideline and not gospel. I've dropped my deadlift weight from 315 to improve my form. Thanks for the inspiration! Love the videos!
I feel the other one applies better to me, but this gave me the idea that when I've built up my lats more, there won't be as much hitching with the really heavy weights. A lot of things are gonna come together in my upcoming bulk to make me an absolute unit. Imagine how strong I'll be after the subsequent bulk, then!
Good job explaining the mistake of focusing on speed as I found this out the hard way. Ill take your advice rows and farmers walks. Your channel rockz.
Great video as always, but back rounding doesn't shorten ROM (bar still goes from floor to lockout), it shortens the moment arm and gives greater mechanical advantage, same reason low bar squat is stronger than high.
+Alan Thrall (Untamed Strength) what if we pull more than 700 pounds off floor I use to over extend my back in deadlift but once I got up to 600 to 700 I couldn't grind it out
+Ken Haze It still DOES shorten the ROM - confirm that yourself doing some experiments or watch videos. But youre right that that isnt the reason its easier, its easier exactly because of the reasons you stated. If the longer/shorter ROM doesnt make the sticky point harder/easier (which it doesnt), it has no relevance in a 1RM. You miss a 1RM because youre too weak in the hardest point of the movement, not because your muscles run out of ATP because the ROM is so long you cant cover it within 15 seconds.
+Alan Thrall (Untamed Strength) About Mark Bell´s and your "speed" experience: I would really ascribe it to mental/physiological experience (fighting against a resistance), not exactly to maximum strength. Because maximum strength is maximum strength - you build that by lifting heavy and preferably even as fast AS POSSIBLE. Taming your intent to move the bar as explosively as possible generally ("lift a bit slower") imo is therefore even a bad idea. There is another mechanism at play that ripping the bar of the floor gives you problems later on: Its RFD. A bit too longwinded for explanation here - but Kraemer in "Practice and Science of Strength Training" does a good job illustrating that very point why you shouldnt put maximum effort long before the hardest part of a movement comes.
I just love your video. I've gone to many gyms near home and never have learned as much. Though, I'm wondering if you can cover some bodyweight trainings like plank or pull-ups. I heard these are great for your core and back yet i cannot seem to find a good video like yours to help me master these workouts. It's not easy for me to follow your videos cause i'm not a native speaker but I've done and am willing to go over and over and even look into dictionaries whenever I don't understand your instruction. That's how much I value your videos. So if you have time, pleaz consider making videos for plank & pull-ups if you don't mind. Thx! & have a gooooood day.
For me a key factor for my speed of the floor and/or hte lock-out is my aerobic condition. During the Summertime i do a lot of bicicyle riding. The better my aerobic condition is the stronger i am in deadlifts and squats. Every year i do the 9 week insanity workout next to my regular workouts. I dont lose that much weight but i lose some bodyfat and actually gain strenght. Having a good aerobic condition improves my strenght and speed substantially in weight training. For me cycling is the best as it does not put any stress on my joints like running. And the plymetric work in insanity improves my explosiveness.
when i started deadlifting i leant to do it round backed only ,now i've perfected the technique.i still round my back but bcz my hands are long (wingspan 180.6 cm @175.5 cm height) i don't have to round it a lot .to be successful at round back deadlift ,the back should remain locked until the bar reaches knee(for me it is above knee level) then you slowly begin uncoiling your back dragging it up the thighs ,simultaneously straightening the legs .final position is the lockout position(the key here is timing ).for back strength deficit deadlifts are the best .i do those round backed too .
Doing deadlifts is so much about being in the zone, in my opinion. Being in the zone and outside of it, can differ many kilos from my max lifts. So, what is the best way to get into the zone in your opinion? For me it helps putting on some really good music at max volume and then visualizing how easily I pull the lift. Other tips? Maybe this would fit for another video...
Hey alan, recently i star watching you and already watch all of your videos. I want to ask you something. I start doing workouts before month and a half. Now my deadlift max is 110kg(about 242lbs), when i does my personal record my hamstrings was shaking but i manage to do 2 reps. I was doing slow weight deadlifts for about 3 weeks so i can perfect my form. Is there a way that i can see/feel if i am doing it wrong. ( sorry if my english is bad ).
Thanks for the great videos! Should I be worried if my legs are moving around horizontally a bit when I'm deadlifting? In other words should I try to keep both legs in position and not move my hips or knees at all when I'm doing the lifts?
Do you find there to be much carryover to the deadlift from developing a good power clean? I've just started experimenting with them twice a week. I figured that two additional sub maximal pulls per week on top of my deadlift day would probably not be so taxing as to interfere with my deadlift or squat but should still help add some kg to both. Thanks for the videos, your deadlift how to and these are now my homework in the "get from 405 to 600" challenge I've set myself.
Hey Alan. I missed a PR deadlift today. My situation today sounded exactly like your experience at the meet (that you talk about in this video). As i had been pulling everything very fast even weights up to 95% move fast, however once i went for a significant PR i just could not grind at all, i literally missed the weight 1 cm from lockout, my back was not rounded. I know you said to think about pulling sower and actually using your muscles, however do you have any specific assistance exercises to work on this problem i have? would rack pulls be worth while?
+Rene de Laat Same here. I see people do both and don't know what to do. Today, we did clean and jerk for the strength and 21-15-9 Deadlifts and Medicine ball cleans for the workout. Ended up changing shoes before hand, but wonder if I could have benefited from keeping them on.
+Davor Tivanovac I also use my oly shoes when deadlifting. I'd like to know when to use the oly shoes and when not to use them for what specific training purposes?
Too late. I already hurt my back yesterday (again) in the gym doing deadlifts... I think I'm going to give the game away. I don't want to end up with chronic back pain as I get older. Might just settle with rack pulls.
Very helpful indeed. Have a question tho, I've tried your tips on loading the hamstring and engaging the poster-chair, but I find my hips hurting and lower back still rounding. could it be my hamstrings are too weak?
Hi there, I just found your super informative and lively videos. I have a DL question. I have always done DL with very straight, but not locked knees at the starting position. But when I watch you with the barbell, your knees are bent at the start. I'm not using heavy weight, my max available is 70 pounds, but should I be starting straight or bent?
What I find funny is that the last time I was watching deadlift advice from Allan thrall my deadlift was too slow off the floor and I was pulling conventional, now I deadlift sumo which is supposed be slower off the floor but it feels like the exact opposite
is there a limit to how much one can lift with regards to his body weight. Like even after doing everything right the weight wont increase becoz u have hit your natural capacity. i am 187 lbs and my PR is 400 lbs.
i've seen channels do things like this in the passed, couple of problems 1: thats what paid coaches do. 2: privacy. not everyone wants to be put on blast on youtube. 3: time, videos like these might take 12 hours to make and edit. 4: you don't know the person. everyones bone structure is different what theyre doing may be their best and its difficult to tell that from just one angle.
I accept that's what a coach would do. But if this series were to exist, people who'd send in the videos are the ones who wouldn't mind being critiqued in public.
i'd watch it. wasn't knocking the idea just saying i've seen this done before and it's really time consuming, but hey if alan wants to do it more alan is best alan.
Hey Alan, i bought your basic program shortly after it came out but i seem to have lost it completely, are you able to send me another copy? i still have proof that i bought it.
Man the heaviest Dumbbells at my gym are only 100lbs. That just doesn't seem like an effective weight for my size. Any ideas on how to increase the weight somehow?
Does the speed thing apply for other lifts as well? I recently dropped weight to practice form on my lifts, and because it's easy I've been fast on the way up. Should I practice slow on the way up and down?
I like your channel. 100% gains 0% bullshit.
+Corey Lambrecht True, but does Alan have bars like Mark Smelly Bell?
I've been weight training for 54 of my 65 years, and along the way have probably studied virtually everything about the sport that has ever made it into print (and these days, on to video). But I've never encountered better, clearer, more helpful and more knowledgeable instruction than what you provide. As far as I'm concerned, you have set the standard for teaching people how to train. GREAT stuff!
That is fantastically high praise. Are you still going now at 72?
Fantastic advice. If everyone followed your videos we would be a shiny golden race of powerlifting heroes. and bearded.
lol
Cheers for the Video! Apologies for the intrusion, I would appreciate your opinion. Have you heard about - Millawdon Muscles Mountain Trick (Sure I saw it on Google)? It is an awesome exclusive product for learning an effective strength training program to get fast results minus the hard work. Ive heard some extraordinary things about it and my work buddy finally got astronomical success with it.
Lol. Epic. Those of us who follow this advice ARE....
100% best lifting channel on youtube. Thanks alan.
He’s a great learner, approaches with humility, which is why his explanations are so excellent, plus funny. Almost makes me want to go to Sacramento....almost.
you can never have enough information on how to dead lift that's why this is the king of all lifts and Alan it's the best at explaining every step plus I always finish watching his videos with a smile in my face, now time to hit the gym and grab that bar! 💪💪
I listened to your key teaching point the other day (regarding keeping your glenohumeral joint directly over the bar).
Despite it feeling slightly unnatural (likely due to the old ingrained neural motor learning pattern), my deadlift sets went really well and I felt much stronger.
Thanks dude.
Honestly this is the best strength training channel on TH-cam. Those guys at barbell brigade could learn a thing or two
+Michael Asimah truth
+Michael Asimah i said it in one of alan videos this channel is what strength camp use to be
First comment after watching practically all of your videos, several times. You offer the best training advice I ever found (print and video); I’m a 51 year-old “intermediate novice”. I only add this here because I enjoy your humor: instead of three sets, you should suggest 4 sets of farmer’s walks. An even number takes us back to our starting spot. I did three and didn’t know how to get back. But I’m just a beginner. 😎 thanks for all your advice! Semper Fi
Simply one of the best workout/ gym/ strength training channels in the world. Explained precisely and simply for anyone to understand. Thank you Alan.
You are a WEAPON! Giving so much cues!!!!! It's very helpful! Thank you a lot for sharing your experience and knowlege with us 🙏
They have taught me alot in the military over the years but whenever some of my soldiers wants me to help them get stronger you videos are my source on how to get the point across, not the military training manual.
Alan, I'm a new viewer to your channel, and I was instantly hooked on your videos. I've already watched a fair share of them, especially on deadlifting. I'm not a powerlifter by all means, but what I like about your videos is your understanding that your way isn't the only way; to take your information as a guideline and not gospel. I've dropped my deadlift weight from 315 to improve my form. Thanks for the inspiration! Love the videos!
Alan, Part I and Part II are on point! I didn't realize how jacked up my DL is. Thanks for the vids man! Keep em coming!
man - this was great advice. I watched your other deadlift videos and my deads feel so much better now. I actually like doing them.
I feel the other one applies better to me, but this gave me the idea that when I've built up my lats more, there won't be as much hitching with the really heavy weights. A lot of things are gonna come together in my upcoming bulk to make me an absolute unit. Imagine how strong I'll be after the subsequent bulk, then!
Great advice. Can't wait to implement.
I love watching KK deadlift, his technique is great. His back actually isn't as rounded as it appears at first.
+Ahmed Haggag He rounds his back as a cue to drop his hips. Very solid technique imo
Good job explaining the mistake of focusing on speed as I found this out the hard way. Ill take your advice rows and farmers walks. Your channel rockz.
Thanks for all of you help! I always get something out of your vids.
best strength channel on youtube by far!
thanks so much for this video Alan! my lock out is my biggest trouble area. was doing rack pulls to help, will incorporate these suggestions as well!
Well said Mark!
Same for me!!
Great job young man!
Awesome video!
My lockout is definitely my weak point. Gonna implement farmers walks to my workouts now
Great video as always, but back rounding doesn't shorten ROM (bar still goes from floor to lockout), it shortens the moment arm and gives greater mechanical advantage, same reason low bar squat is stronger than high.
Good point!
+Alan Thrall (Untamed Strength) what if we pull more than 700 pounds off floor I use to over extend my back in deadlift but once I got up to 600 to 700 I couldn't grind it out
+Ken Haze It still DOES shorten the ROM - confirm that yourself doing some experiments or watch videos. But youre right that that isnt the reason its easier, its easier exactly because of the reasons you stated. If the longer/shorter ROM doesnt make the sticky point harder/easier (which it doesnt), it has no relevance in a 1RM. You miss a 1RM because youre too weak in the hardest point of the movement, not because your muscles run out of ATP because the ROM is so long you cant cover it within 15 seconds.
+Alan Thrall (Untamed Strength) About Mark Bell´s and your "speed" experience: I would really ascribe it to mental/physiological experience (fighting against a resistance), not exactly to maximum strength. Because maximum strength is maximum strength - you build that by lifting heavy and preferably even as fast AS POSSIBLE. Taming your intent to move the bar as explosively as possible generally ("lift a bit slower") imo is therefore even a bad idea. There is another mechanism at play that ripping the bar of the floor gives you problems later on: Its RFD. A bit too longwinded for explanation here - but Kraemer in "Practice and Science of Strength Training" does a good job illustrating that very point why you shouldnt put maximum effort long before the hardest part of a movement comes.
I just love your video. I've gone to many gyms near home and never have learned as much.
Though, I'm wondering if you can cover some bodyweight trainings like plank or pull-ups.
I heard these are great for your core and back yet i cannot seem to find a good video like yours to help me master these workouts.
It's not easy for me to follow your videos cause i'm not a native speaker but I've done and am willing to go over and over and even look into dictionaries whenever I don't understand your instruction. That's how much I value your videos.
So if you have time, pleaz consider making videos for plank & pull-ups if you don't mind.
Thx! & have a gooooood day.
Dear Alan , I am from taiwan,thanks for your sharing! wonderful!
Can you make a video or a series of videos regarding the squat? Pausing when you hit paralel. Geting through that sticking point.
For me a key factor for my speed of the floor and/or hte lock-out is my aerobic condition. During the Summertime i do a lot of bicicyle riding. The better my aerobic condition is the stronger i am in deadlifts and squats. Every year i do the 9 week insanity workout next to my regular workouts. I dont lose that much weight but i lose some bodyfat and actually gain strenght. Having a good aerobic condition improves my strenght and speed substantially in weight training. For me cycling is the best as it does not put any stress on my joints like running. And the plymetric work in insanity improves my explosiveness.
Pause deadlifts above the knee or 1½ deadlifts work wonders too.
So much fun to watch this! Great videos ^^
Love your channel man. It's helped me a ton.
dude!!!!!!!! i love ur videos!!!!!!! i learn so much!
Alan can you pls do Sumo Deadlift tutorial?
Excellent content, Alan! Very informative.
when i started deadlifting i leant to do it round backed only ,now i've perfected the technique.i still round my back but bcz my hands are long (wingspan 180.6 cm @175.5 cm height) i don't have to round it a lot .to be successful at round back deadlift ,the back should remain locked until the bar reaches knee(for me it is above knee level) then you slowly begin uncoiling your back dragging it up the thighs ,simultaneously straightening the legs .final position is the lockout position(the key here is timing ).for back strength deficit deadlifts are the best .i do those round backed too .
Awesome video brother really had a ton of pertinent information
You're awesome, really appreciate these tips... Thanks
thanks very much man! I can pull to my knees a much more than i can actually lockout
Grinding is really a skill in itself as Mark Bell says
Great info! This was super helpful.
Yeah, when it comes to making sure my Deadlift is in check, I listen to Alan.
Solid info Alan thanks.
Thanks for all your insight, Bro!
Quality content as always. Thanks Alan!
Doing deadlifts is so much about being in the zone, in my opinion. Being in the zone and outside of it, can differ many kilos from my max lifts. So, what is the best way to get into the zone in your opinion? For me it helps putting on some really good music at max volume and then visualizing how easily I pull the lift. Other tips? Maybe this would fit for another video...
Bro it sounds like u say train on time.. though im aussie. Great vids man < learning lots over here.
I love that intro music.
Another great video.
Hey alan, recently i star watching you and already watch all of your videos. I want to ask you something. I start doing workouts before month and a half. Now my deadlift max is 110kg(about 242lbs), when i does my personal record my hamstrings was shaking but i manage to do 2 reps. I was doing slow weight deadlifts for about 3 weeks so i can perfect my form. Is there a way that i can see/feel if i am doing it wrong. ( sorry if my english is bad ).
Alan, what are those Nikes you're wearing in the cutaway at the end? Looking for some new flat shoes
Thanks for the great videos! Should I be worried if my legs are moving around horizontally a bit when I'm deadlifting? In other words should I try to keep both legs in position and not move my hips or knees at all when I'm doing the lifts?
Do you find there to be much carryover to the deadlift from developing a good power clean? I've just started experimenting with them twice a week. I figured that two additional sub maximal pulls per week on top of my deadlift day would probably not be so taxing as to interfere with my deadlift or squat but should still help add some kg to both. Thanks for the videos, your deadlift how to and these are now my homework in the "get from 405 to 600" challenge I've set myself.
Hey Alan would front squats be as or close to effective as the 3 exercises shown on the video?
Great information. Thanks..
gracias por todos tus videos.... TOOOOOODOS
6:29 snatch grip pull makes lockout positions easier
Hey Alan. I missed a PR deadlift today. My situation today sounded exactly like your experience at the meet (that you talk about in this video). As i had been pulling everything very fast even weights up to 95% move fast, however once i went for a significant PR i just could not grind at all, i literally missed the weight 1 cm from lockout, my back was not rounded. I know you said to think about pulling sower and actually using your muscles, however do you have any specific assistance exercises to work on this problem i have? would rack pulls be worth while?
Thanks for the video!
What are your thoughts on deadlifts with olympic shoes vs bare feet or flat soles?
+Rene de Laat +1
oly shoes gives you the leverage to use quads more.
+Rene de Laat +1 been wondering as well, I'm using oly shoes (if they can clean 200 kg, I think I should be able to just deadlift it)
+Rene de Laat Same here. I see people do both and don't know what to do. Today, we did clean and jerk for the strength and 21-15-9 Deadlifts and Medicine ball cleans for the workout. Ended up changing shoes before hand, but wonder if I could have benefited from keeping them on.
+Davor Tivanovac I also use my oly shoes when deadlifting. I'd like to know when to use the oly shoes and when not to use them for what specific training purposes?
Alan, did you see At the Gates play during their recent US tour?
2:28 Is that you, Virtuvian Physique?
Too late. I already hurt my back yesterday (again) in the gym doing deadlifts...
I think I'm going to give the game away. I don't want to end up with chronic back pain as I get older. Might just settle with rack pulls.
Tips on how to grip the bar on a bench press so my wrist does not bend back while pressing the bar.
+GnarVic overhand, not suicide.
Very helpful indeed. Have a question tho, I've tried your tips on loading the hamstring and engaging the poster-chair, but I find my hips hurting and lower back still rounding. could it be my hamstrings are too weak?
Great stuff!
Hi there, I just found your super informative and lively videos. I have a DL question.
I have always done DL with very straight, but not locked knees at the starting position. But when I watch you with the barbell, your knees are bent at the start. I'm not using heavy weight, my max available is 70 pounds, but should I be starting straight or bent?
Great tips!
....i need to invest in some farmer's walk handles....
Yea using Dumbbells just doesn't seem like enough weight for me anymore
Check out fat grips, do the job nicely 👍
+Stephen Hardy I use a pair of normal KBs (not competitional so they have thick handles) for farmers.
Heavy DBs work
+MotivatedResults You could also try Trap bar walks.
Could you do a video about face pulls as a prehab movement?
Is it ok to do farmer's walk with a trap bar? thanx a lot.
UNSTOPPABLE
What I find funny is that the last time I was watching deadlift advice from Allan thrall my deadlift was too slow off the floor and I was pulling conventional, now I deadlift sumo which is supposed be slower off the floor but it feels like the exact opposite
Great content, my fellow viking!
Hi Alan, can you please tell us about squat using smith machine,is it good?
is there a limit to how much one can lift with regards to his body weight. Like even after doing everything right the weight wont increase becoz u have hit your natural capacity. i am 187 lbs and my PR is 400 lbs.
Alan do you think you could do a series where people send vids of them lifting and you critique their/our form?
i've seen channels do things like this in the passed, couple of problems
1: thats what paid coaches do.
2: privacy. not everyone wants to be put on blast on youtube.
3: time, videos like these might take 12 hours to make and edit.
4: you don't know the person. everyones bone structure is different what theyre doing may be their best and its difficult to tell that from just one angle.
I accept that's what a coach would do. But if this series were to exist, people who'd send in the videos are the ones who wouldn't mind being critiqued in public.
Good idea. I'll consider it
i'd watch it. wasn't knocking the idea just saying i've seen this done before and it's really time consuming, but hey if alan wants to do it more alan is best alan.
+Mo Yusuf This would be great!
alan is the man
do you think there is a time when you should stop using lifting straps?
I think face pulls are a pretty underutilized movement esp. for somebody who has bad posture.
where can I get one of those shirts?keep up good work:-)
Hey Alan, i bought your basic program shortly after it came out but i seem to have lost it completely, are you able to send me another copy? i still have proof that i bought it.
2:33 this is the takeaway from this video. I need to start drinking Sunny D!
Man the heaviest Dumbbells at my gym are only 100lbs. That just doesn't seem like an effective weight for my size. Any ideas on how to increase the weight somehow?
Stop using Dumbbells and use a barbell
Great video! :)
cool bro. thanks!
Alan, what's your opinion on Farmer Walks vs Shrugs?
Farmer walking on oly shoes is painful, so I'd have to switch shoes mid workout.
You walk to the gym in oly shoes? Jesus
SinnedNogara it depends
Dude, what is the song you use in your intro? Sounds wicked, man!
I pull 200kg relatively easily but when I put 205 on the bar, keep in mind I only weigh 77kg. Do you think "good mornings" would help?
do the POWERCAST!
add bands and chains for speed
Does the speed thing apply for other lifts as well? I recently dropped weight to practice form on my lifts, and because it's easy I've been fast on the way up. Should I practice slow on the way up and down?
If i don't have straps can I use a mixed grip with the wide grip deadlift?
I don't know if you've already done it, But you think you can make a short series like this with squatting Alan? "Fix your Squat"
+Anthony .Varone that´d be great, i mostly tend to fail in the middle/lockout of squats as well as paused squats
Check Alans channel, already did a great video about fixing squats (falling forward or backwards etc).
Jazz
i know them, its about how toget rid of sticking points we are asking for :)
What about rack pulls?
Thanks
Brasil.....thank you
dude. TRAIN UNTAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMEEDDD!
What is the intro song?
Do barrel rows count??
i recently switched to sumo style deadlift and i'm wondering, can you fix your sumo deadlift with these advice?