23/08/2026
If you ask me, deadlifts are one of the most overrated movements.
People act like you have to deadlift to get strong. You don’t. But that doesn’t mean they’re useless. Deadlifts have plenty of benefits, and if building strength is your goal, they can be a pretty solid movement to have in your programme.
Before we throw them straight into F tier and claim one rep will make your spine leave your body like it’s handed in its fu***ng notice, we need some context.
Why are you deadlifting? What are you trying to get from the movement?
Every exercise comes with some level of risk. Even driving or riding your bike to the gym has risk. The important part is managing that risk rather than pretending it doesn’t exist.
Deadlifts can also be performed in different ways depending on your goals. Conventional, sumo, trap bar, Romanian deadlifts and different variations all have their place.
The deadlift itself isn’t inherently dangerous when performed with good technique, sensible loading and, most importantly, when you don’t let your ego load the fu***ng bar.
You don’t need to deadlift.
But you also don’t need to act like picking something heavy off the floor is a one way ticket to getting your arse wiped for the rest of your life.
Do you deadlift? Let me know in the comments.