Trap Bar Deadlift

Muscles Worked

How to Perform

1. 1

   Set up for the Trap Bar Deadlift in a stable, balanced position. Ensure proper alignment before beginning.

2. 2

   Brace your core and initiate the movement through the target muscle group, not momentum.

3. 3

   Move through the full range of motion with control. Focus on feeling the working muscle contract.

4. 4

   Return to the starting position under control. Maintain tension on the back throughout.

Common Mistakes

• Rounding the lower back, which is the number-one cause of deadlift injuries. If your back rounds, the weight is too heavy or your setup needs work.

• Starting with the bar too far from your body. The bar should be over mid-foot and in contact with your shins at the start.

• Hyperextending at the top by leaning back. Stand tall and squeeze your glutes — you do not need to lean backward.

Pro Tips

• Pull the slack out of the bar before you lift. Straighten your arms, engage your lats, and build tension against the bar before it breaks the floor. This eliminates the jerk at the start.

• Cue: "Push the floor away" instead of pulling the bar up. This mental shift engages your legs more effectively off the floor.

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