26 Remarkable Benefits Of Deadlifts To Unleash Your Fitness
By Richard Hashimashi, CPT, INHC – Last Updated

Introduction To Deadlift Body Transformation
What if I told you that the benefits of deadlifts are not just for gym rats, bodybuilders, powerlifters or young folk?
Lifting a seven foot 45 pound barbell with two 45 pound iron plates at each end off the floor looks and sounds intimidating, right?
How long have you used weight machines, treadmills and dumbbell curls but still find yourself to be bored and overweight?
Imagine if you can get lean and strong without spending hours in the gym.
With every workout, you put on more muscle mass and blast away your belly fat.
Until you look and feel like an athlete.
But right now, that feels like an impossible dream, doesn’t it?
Your weight is through the roof with no end in sight.
The amount of time that you do any exercise is less than the average sneeze.
And, your waistline is so big, that your stomach hangs over your high school sized jeans and belt.
You’re a few days away from throwing in the notion of ever getting fit and giving up.
But, it doesn’t have to be this way:
The secrets of the most powerful benefits of deadlifts are only a few scrolls away.
And, all you have to do to learn them for absolutely free is scroll down the page.
Because in this article I’m going to show you exactly how great the deadlift is and help inspire you to start deadlifting.
Even if you are a middle aged guy over 50.
Once you know the staggering advantages of the barbell deadlift, you will no longer be shy.
You will be ready to abandon the machines, go to the free weight area and tackle the deadlift, the king of all exercises.
Let Me Explain…
Iwent from fat to fit in under a year because of the powerful benefits of deadlifts.
I couldn’t believe how simple it was.
And neither will you.
Along with pushups, squats, jumping rope and the elliptical, deadlifts are one of the best exercises for you to lose weight and get fit.
Like many people, I thought the deadlift was only for bodybuilders or powerlifters.
Boy, was I wrong.
The powerful deadlift is one of the best exercises you can do to get into shape – fast. Even if you are not doing heavy deadlifts.
The reason is that the deadlift works the major muscles of your upper and lower body.
This is how the deadlift can transform your body, boost your mood, and even help rebuild your life.
Deadlifts can keep you lean, strong and functional.
My results are not special. Believe it or not, even if you are over the age of 50, 60 or 70, you are still not too old to start deadlifting.
If you want to get back into shape and only have time for one strength training exercise, let it be the deadlift.
All you need is some basic weight lifting equipment for deadlifting and Starting Strength, the classic book on barbell training.
Here are the the most important benefits of deadlifts:
1. How To Lose Weight Without Counting Calories?
Enter the deadlift.
The deadlift is an intense exercise, and you will burn plenty of calories.
You will not need to count calories in order to lose weight.
Deadlift once a week, do push ups and jump rope every day, walk 10k steps a day, and eat real food.
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Eat real food daily
- (Remember, you can never out train a bad diet. Avoid processed food and eat real food, it is that simple.)
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Deadlift, jump rope, do squats if you can, and do the 100 pushups a day challenge.
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Walk/swim/bike/elliptical for 30 minutes 5 times a week.
2. Are You Making This Common Weight Training Mistake?
What is the most common weight lifting mistake?
Going to the gym to do dumbbell curls, or even worse, using a machine to do curls.
Are you going to spend 30 minutes to an hour a day to work only one muscle group?
Does that make sense?
You want to change your body, you want to get stronger, right?
Don’t focus on one muscle only.
To change your body, focus on the one exercise that targets and activates your entire body.
By now you know that is the deadlift, because the deadlift benefits your upper and lower body.
Unlike the squat which targets the leg muscles.
Related Posts:
How Deadlifts Change Your Body in 27 Ways
7 Deadlift Muscles Worked That Will Change Your Life
Deadlifting Can Even Boost Your Mood
The Best Exercise to Lose Weight
Romanian Deadlift Benefits
Benefits of Trap Bar Deadlifts
3. Do You Still Look Pregnant? The Fastest Way To Fix It!
The Amazing Benefits of Deadlifts to Torch Belly Fat
4. Sculpt Your Entire Core
5. Build A Powerful Back
Related Posts:
6. Prevent Lower Back Pain
7. Strengthen Your Posterior Chain
8. Develop An Attractive Physique
9. Improve Your Grip Strength
10. Walk Taller And Improve Your Posture
11. Deadlift Results Before And After


Credit: https://hashimashi.com
12. Health Benefits Of Deadlifts – Even Over 50
The truth is that you can deadlift and get into a better shape, no matter what your age is.
If you think that deadlifting over 50, 60 or 70 is not possible, watch the following videos.
Ric Flair was widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.1) Watch Ric Flair Deadlift 400 pounds at the age of 67:
A Ric Flair Deadlift of 400 Pounds.

Recommended Reading:
78 Year Old Lady Starts Deadlifting and Regains Her Mobility
13. Benefits Of Deadlifts For Women
Watch this video of HangTightWMarcie deadlifting 235 pounds.
Notice that she is lean and strong, not bulky.
Here is an excellent post about the main benefits of deadlifts for women:
http://fitgirlsdiary.com/deadlift-a-must-do-exercise-for-women-how-to-do-it-right/
14. Deadlifts Require A Small Area And Basic Weightlifting Equipment
You can set up a home gym for deadlifting in a small area of your basement or garage with the following gym gear:
Body Solid Oly Power Bar 7 ft Chrome Olympic Barbell – all you need is a barbell for deadlifts.
Rage Fitness Olympic Bumper Plates – bumper plates are useful for deadlifting lighter weights with the barbell at the right height.
CAP Barbell Olympic 2″ 12 Sided Rubber Grip Rubber Plates – rubber plates are useful to cut down on noise and reduce damage to your floor.
CAP Barbell 2-Inch Olympic Grip Iron Plates – iron plates are great if you love iron, have good mats, and like the noise.
Greententljs 2 Inch Barbell Clamps Quick Release Collars Pair Locking 2″ Pro Olympic – safety first, you must always secure your plates on the barbell to prevent injury to yourself and others. Having an extra pair is handy in a gym as well.
Ader Fitness Olympic Fractional Plates – you need fractional plates to gradually increase your deadlift weight
XMark Fitness XMat Ultra Thick Equipment Mat – you need a heavy duty mat to protect your floor.
The Dead Wedge – Deadlift Jack Alternative – easily raises a loaded barbell for effortless loading/unloading of plates. Small enough for your gym bag. Read my dead wedge review here.
ASICS Men’s Matflex 4 Wrestling Shoes – wrestling shoe which many reviews like for deadlifting and lighter on the wallet. Up to $100 less than Adidas weightlifting shoes.
MOXY Socks Knee-High Performance Deadlift Socks – I use deadlift socks every time I deadlift. Save your shins and focus on form!
Rocktape Rock Guard Deadlift Shin Protectors – sometimes you need more than high knee deadlift socks to protect your shins.
Dark Iron Fitness Genuine Leather Pro Weight Lifting Belt – this belt ensures your back, abs and entire core are evenly stabilized for extra power and strength, especially for heavier weights.
Rip Toned Wrist StrapsRip Toned Wrist Straps – the only training straps endorsed by 2014 World Champion Powerlifter Kevin Weiss. Eliminate grip strength fatigue from getting in the way of your deadlift progress.
Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training, 3rd Edition – my fav book to learn the most effective way to train with barbells including deadlifts.
Find more awesome tools to improve your fitness here.
Related Post:
Do You Need Deadlift Shin Guards?
15. Benefits Of Deadlifts Are Not Only For Athletes
Eat real food, add deadlifts, squats, and pushups, and your body will transform.
You will start to look like an athlete, even if you are not.
This transformation will happen over six months to a year, depending on how out of shape you are now.
Do not expect immediate results from the benefits of deadlifts.
Be patient, be consistent, think progress, not perfection.
Related Post:
Eat Real Food and Conquer Your Own Mount Kilimanjaro
16. Deadlifts Are Great For Busy People
How much time do you have during the day to do a workout?
You commute to your office, help your kids with homework and have errands.
You’re busy and have little free time.
But, if you can get to a gym, your garage or basement for 30 minutes, you can still deadlift.
- First, warm up for at least five minutes, either walking or on an elliptical.
- Then, start out with an Olympic size barbell and 5 pound bumper plates on either side.
- This is 55 pounds of weight.
- If this is too heavy, then start with dumbbells.
Proper Deadlift Form
- Read my review of the Starting Strength 5 step deadlift setup.
- This is a must and is not negotiable.
- This will help you make sense of the rest of this section on deadlift form.
- Keep your feet shoulder width, put your left hand and your right hand on the bar in an overhand position.
- Start out with an overhand grip.
- Keep your back straight and pick the weight up off the floor.
- Grasp the bar with a strong grip.
- Keep your hips below your shoulder.
- Take a deep breath at the top and tighten your core.
- Hold a full breath into your abdominal to create more stability in your core.
- This will apply not only to the deadlift when picking up the weight, but to the squat as well.
- You must have a firm stable core to deadlift or squat.
- Take a deep breath and hold it to stabilize your core.
- Do not make the mistake of not holding your breath.
- I did that and immediately felt lower back pain, that was not good.
- Use the power in your hips, legs and posterior chain to lift the weight, not your back.
- Then lower the weight.
- Watch Mehdi from Stronglifts and learn how to do proper form deadlifts.
Recommended Reading:
How to Deadlift Basics – Learn to Use the 5 Step Deadlift Setup
17. Deadlifts Are A Perfect Illustration Of The SAID Principle
What is the SAID Principle?
The SAID principle says that the human body adapts to imposed demands. In other words, given stressors on the human system, whether biomechanical or neurological, there will be a Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands (SAID)2).
For example, Milo of Croton was a 6th-century BC Greek wrestler.
To achieve his legendary strength, Milo began lifting a young bull.
He continued to do this every day, and as the bull grew in size, Milo gained strength to match.
This story of Milo illustrates the SAID Principle.
The SAID principle is a fundamental strength training concept.
Your body will respond to the imposed demands of the deadlift.
As well as any other progressive resistance training.
How To Implement The SAID Principle With Deadlifts
If 50 pounds is easy for you to deadlift, great.
Go home and come back two days later.
Do the same deadlift workout the next time.
Five minutes for your warm up as mentioned above, but this time, add another five pounds to the bar.
This is where fractional plates are handy, 2.5 pounds on either side of the bar.
Even if you could go up twenty pounds in weight, don’t.
Even if you only do one set of 5 deadlifts every deadlift workout, you will keep getting stronger.
As always, make sure you focus on using great deadlift form.
Imagine if you rely on deadlifts for your main strength exercise, for an entire year.
A 15 to 30 minute workout every other day, with weekends off.
Increase your deadlift weight 5 pounds every week.
At the end of a year, you can be deadlifting 250 pounds.
The benefits of deadlifts for runners and sprinters can have spectacular results.
Read how the deadlift helped Allyson Felix become one of the greatest Olympic runners of all time.
And how the Hugh Jackman deadlift can inspire you to start deadlifting.
Recommended Reading:
How the Powerful Overload Principle Explodes Your Fitness
18. The King Of All Exercise
Fitness authorities know how to lose fat and gain muscle at the same time.
Bryan DiSanto of http://leanitup.com is a fat loss and muscle building expert.
See what he says about the benefits of deadlifts:
“In the weightlifting realm, deadlifts reign king. Deadlifts and squats are far and away the best all-around exercises that exists. They build an all-around powerful, muscular, shredded physique faster than any other exercise. It’s cheating the weight-lifting system. Deadlifts are equally beneficial for women. Deadlifts shred body fat, and build muscle all over your body.”
19. Benefits Of Deadlifts For Males – Boost Your Testosterone
What is so important about testosterone?
If you are a man and have any interest in your health and sex, you should consider starting a deadlift program.
As we age, our testosterone decreases, as well as our interest in sex, and the ability to perform.
Living a longer life also becomes more difficult.
- Testosterone enables your body to build denser bones and prevent osteoporosis.
- Testosterone helps you build muscle mass.
- More muscles help you to prevent diabetes, which is critical for good health.
- Testosterone helps you prevent impotence.
- An active sex life is healthy and helps to prevent heart attack and stroke.
- Higher testosterone levels are important for weight control, energy, confidence, and ambition.
- Testosterone stimulates the male organs to develop and is what makes a man, a man.
- Weight lifting has a bigger effect on testosterone than almost any other exercise.
- A man must keep his testosterone levels in the normal range because of it’s importance to male health.
- The more muscles that you use, the bigger the impact that your workout will have on testosterone.
- Testosterone is beneficial to your body, your mental health and your spirit.
Improving your testosterone levels will have a positive impact on your health.
Stop squeezing hand grips and start doing deadlifts.
20. Deadlift Instead Of Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Before I started to deadlift, my testosterone was not in the normal range.
Low T or low testosterone is common for a man over 50.
My doctor recommended that I begin testosterone replacement therapy.
Instead, shortly after that check up I started Hashi Mashi.
I ditched the 3 common habits that make us fat.
I cut out processed food, made a regular schedule of 4 real meals a day, and started to walk 30 minutes a day.
When I lost enough weight and could bend down easier, I started to deadlift.
I started to squat, do pushups and began walking or using an elliptical 30 to 60 minutes daily.
Ten months later my testosterone had doubled and was in normal range.
My doctor asked if I had been taking testosterone replacement therapy.
I told him that I switched from processed to real food and started to deadlift.
The doctor was shocked.
He said that the benefits of deadlifts for testosterone were better than testosterone replacement therapy.
If you have low-T or low testosterone, consider the benefits of deadlifts for testosterone.
21. Proper Form Deadlifts Are Safe
22. Strengthen Your Activities Of Daily Living
For example, the ability to lift heavy furniture or luggage, while avoiding injury.
Start doing deadlifts and impress your friends, or your wife.
You might even impress your mother-in-law the next time you load her suitcase in the car.
23. High-Intensity Cardiovascular Workout.
Deadlifts work your heart and help raise your VO2Max.
The VO2Max is your body’s ability to transport and use oxygen during exercise.
This is an indicator of your level of cardiovascular fitness.
A little known benefit of deadlifting is the development of cardiorespiratory fitness.
Deadlifts will tax your cardiorespiratory system if done with enough intensity.
This has positive ramifications for cardiovascular health.
High-intensity deadlifts workout your entire body.
Next time you do a few sets of deadlifts with even only 5 repetitions, you will feel the workout intensity.
24.Boost Your Mood
25. A Call To Doctors: Forget Prozac, Try Prescribing Deadlifts
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Maximize real food and reduce processed foods.
- Establish a schedule of 3 real food meals and a snack every day.
- Take a 30 minute to hour walk with friends/family or by yourself, get moving.
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Train six days a week alternating between your upper body and lower body
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On lower body days, do squats and/or deadlifts.
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On upper body days, do pushups, shoulder presses, bench presses, pull ups/chin ups and dumbbell rows.
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Once a week, take a break, spend time with family and/or friends, eat whatever you want (within reason.)
Please share this information with doctors and medical professionals.
They can help their patients treat depression without antidepressants.
This is important for your patients with treatment resistant depression.
26. Benefits Of Deadlifts For Depression
27. A Measure Of Strength
- The deadlift is a true measure of strength, because deadlifts use most muscle groups of your body.
- As a result, deadlifts are a better test of full body muscle strength
28. Special Appeal
Deadlifts have a special appeal.
Picking a weight off the floor, has a special primordial appeal.
Deadlifting is like ripping a gigantic tree out of the ground.
Standing and holding the massive weight also promotes a feeling of immense power.
29. Suicidal Ideation
Deadlifts are a great treatment for suicidal ideation.
Before checking into a hospital, pick up a gym membership or make a simple gym in your garage, basement or extra room.
Get the right tools that you need to immediately start training.
If your psychiatrist recommends antidepressants or Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), you must try a nutrition and exercise plan first.
Start deadlifting 3 times a week.
Make sure that you are also getting in a 30 minute walk every day.
Accept your problems.
Depression or suicidal ideation will not fix the issue upsetting you.
Of course, whatever you can do to rectify a situation, do it.
But, many times, depression and suicidal ideation are the results of circumstances beyond your control.
For example, you might feel suicidal because of a broken relationship.
Or you might contemplate suicide after divorce, family estrangement or job loss.
Male suicide is a silent epidemic and exercise is a perfect solution for men and women.
Deadlifting helps you regain your composure and even rebuild your life.
You’ll feel stronger than ever, and deadlifting progressively heavier weight off the ground will improve your mental health.
Training, exercise, deadlifting, are all under your control.
As a result, you will imagine and feel that the same way you are getting physically stronger in the deadlift, so too will you get mentally stronger to lift the dead weight of suicidal ideation out of your mind.
If your suicidal ideation is a result of antidepressants, consider using Hashi Mashi’s SIGECAPS as an antidepressant alternative.
The only side effects from Hashi Mashi’s SIGECAPS is you will get leaner and stronger faster than you ever thought possible.
You will just feel too good to consider suicide an option.
An Important Reminder:
Conclusion
The Deadlift Can Change Your Body, Mind And Life
References
1. | ↑ | wikipedia |
2. | ↑ | http://coachsci.sdsu.edu/csa/vol21/sale.htm |
Resources And Tools
For resources and tools to ignite your health and fitness, lose weight without counting calories, get leaner and stronger, help depression without antidepressants, please click here.