SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/lift-neutral-spine-deadlift
How should you hold your back during a deadlift?
As neutral as possible, not rounded or bent.
- As neutral as possible ✔
- Rounded to reach the bar
- Arched backward hard
Why: An NSCA article says half the battle in deadlifting heavy weight safely is keeping the back as neutral as possible. A rounded back under load is what lifters try to avoid.
Huh, didn't know that: NSCA lists three helpful deadlift cues: keep the head slightly up, activate the lats, and push the knees out.
Why did the spine refuse to round? It had a backbone.
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References
Answer: As neutral as possible. An NSCA article says half the battle in deadlifting heavy weight safely is keeping the back as neutral as possible. A rounded back under load is what lifters try to avoid.
- NSCA TSAC Report: The Deadlift and Its Application to Overall Performance www.nsca.com/education/articles/tsac-report/the-deadlift-and-its-application-to-overall-performance
Half of the battle with performing near-maximal deadlifts and doing it safely is keeping the back as neutral as possible
Checked 2026-10-12.
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