• FreeTrainers.com Forums
• General Fitness & Exercise
• New to deadlifts

Group: General Fitness & Exercise

New to deadlifts

amyksmith76 Posts: 601 Joined: 2005/07/26	2007/08/28, 09:59 AM Hi. I had my first deadlift day yesterday. Aside from the blinding pain in my hamstrings (feel that burn!!!), I also have pain between my shoulder blades. I know that the lower back muscles are secondary muscles used in the deadlift, but not sure about the upper back muscles. Can someone please clarify? The pain is muscular, not injury type which makes me think it's ok, but want to make sure that I don't injury myself in the future if I'm doing something wrong. Thanks!
7707mutt Posts: 7,686 Joined: 2002/06/18	2007/08/28, 10:03 AM Hell yeah baby!!!!! Yes deads focus on hammies, lower back as Primary groups BUT they also hit Upper back, Lats, Delts (rear mainly), Biceps, forarms, grip, quads, calves, neck, um and just about everyinch of the human body!!! -------------- Curl Jockeys, get outta the squat rack! I wish everyone would get a partial amnesia and never use 'tone' ever again. (thanks Menance) 7707mutt@freetrainers.com
flyonthewall Posts: 1,823 Joined: 2005/01/18	2007/08/28, 10:54 AM It's actually a good sign that you're feeling it in your upper back, it means you're engaging those muscles properly to help in the lift. Many people let their upper back slouch forward during the lift. The DL is one of the best compound moves out there...you go girl:big_smile:
amyksmith76 Posts: 601 Joined: 2005/07/26	2007/08/28, 11:06 AM Sweet! Thanks guys. I have to say that the DL definately hit muscles in my legs that I hadn't been previously able to get to very well. Definately a GREAT exercise. I did a 30 minute yoga routine this morning that really helped loosen up the hammies so they feel better today. I've decided to quit being a weenie wafer working on the machines and little free weights here and there. I've been going for the harder more intense exercises and it makes me think that I've simply wasted the last few months on the wimpy other exercises. I've never felt so much pain in my life now that I'm doing DL, squats, lunges, etc. Phew!!! Now I just have to figure out the Smith machine. I've walked around it 5 or 6 times admiring it and even got in it once and tried to work it, but no luck. So, then I had the embarassing experience of having to walk out of it without looking stupid. So, instead I laughed and said "Oh my gosh, this isn't the treadmill! That's what I get for drinking before I work out! ha ha!"
ecle5c Posts: 1,312 Joined: 2003/07/10	2007/08/28, 11:24 AM Nah, you didn't waste time you were just preparing yourself to move to free weights.
flyonthewall Posts: 1,823 Joined: 2005/01/18	2007/08/28, 11:28 AM totally agree with ecle5c. I actually started at a Curves gym years ago and then progressed to the machines at a ladies only gym and use the free wts, squat rack etc, with the big boyz. Each step helped me perfect my form and build the stabilizer muscles needed for the heavier free weights. So you definetly have not wasted your time. Now get in there and try the Smith so you can ultimately progress to the squat rack:big_smile:
drieman Posts: 190 Joined: 2007/07/16	2007/08/28, 11:34 AM Wait a minute here,,,,,,,,am I a weenie wafer doing wimpy exercises.....LOL
flyonthewall Posts: 1,823 Joined: 2005/01/18	2007/08/28, 11:38 AM Naw...everyone's gotta start somewhere:big_smile: Just wait and see where this takes you!!
Ravenbeauty Posts: 3,755 Joined: 2002/09/24	2007/08/28, 12:06 PM nice post, isn't it a great feeling to start small and go bigger and bigger and bigger? I remember when I was terrified to go into a weight room where squat racks and big huge muscle men roamed...lol. Deb, you're time will come when you feel comfortable enough, but just remember us girls, we all started with light weights and exercises before we unleashed the She-Hulk! :) -------------- Bettia Life is all about timing... the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable... attainable. Have the patience, wait it out It is all about timing. -Stacey Chapman
drieman Posts: 190 Joined: 2007/07/16	2007/08/28, 12:44 PM Looking forward to the She-Hulk and I am still a bit intimidated when I walk into the weight room, but I go anyway. I think it is my little FT behind me pushing! hehe I will get there, yes.
Ravenbeauty Posts: 3,755 Joined: 2002/09/24	2007/08/28, 01:13 PM Deb that was years and years ago when I feared the VIP room..lol. But it feels good to walk into it now and harass the big guys even though I am still not where I want to be. You are on the right tracks, you and Amy and you both are doing awesome! -------------- Bettia Life is all about timing... the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable... attainable. Have the patience, wait it out It is all about timing. -Stacey Chapman
drieman Posts: 190 Joined: 2007/07/16	2007/08/28, 02:00 PM Thanks Bettia, I knew you had no fear of the weight room now, you are a very confident person. I however go through the door at 5'9" looking 4' because I am a bit unsure. I am just making myself do it. My gym has a womans area but I am also trying to build up my courage and self esteem by not going in there. I have those years and years that it took you before I get there but I have the advantage of you and asimmer and nadine and all the others that set great examples in here that give me that courage to go into any room I want. hehe Hope im not babbeling.
Ravenbeauty Posts: 3,755 Joined: 2002/09/24	2007/08/28, 03:14 PM No babbling girl, that is what we are here for. I wish I would have had what many new members have now back then, it would've moved be along faster. But I got there...eventually in my own timing. I think it is WONDERFUL how well you are progressing, it makes this site what it is: FANTASTIC! -------------- Bettia Life is all about timing... the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable... attainable. Have the patience, wait it out It is all about timing. -Stacey Chapman
gs24sunshine Posts: 81 Joined: 2007/06/19	2007/08/28, 04:44 PM You go ladies!!!Im proud of you amy,you sound like you got a busy schedule like myself from what youve posted before!!Youll love the free weights ,It puts hair on your chest!!!lol...just kidding!!Glad to work with all of you!!!This seems like a team site istill havent missed a single workout in 11 weeks,and i work with special needs kids all day and clean buildings in the evenigs,and put in about 14 hours on Sundays!Sorry for long post,just like to hear bout other motivated people!!! ============ Quoting from ravenbeauty: No babbling girl, that is what we are here for. I wish I would have had what many new members have now back then, it would've moved be along faster. But I got there...eventually in my own timing. I think it is WONDERFUL how well you are progressing, it makes this site what it is: FANTASTIC! =============
amyksmith76 Posts: 601 Joined: 2005/07/26	2007/08/29, 10:09 AM Thanks all! gs, not looking forward to hair on my chest, I may have to wax. lol. Today is my day off from weights. Just a little cardio and ab work today. Phew! I think that's a good thing although I'm going to try kickboxing for my cardio. I think I'm trying to kill myself. lol. I'm still aching away. Soaked in the tub last night, that helped a little, but STILL! It's all good. I actually am enjoying the pain right now. A little sadistic, I know. But, I know that it's a sign that I'll soon be "she-hulk" as Bettia called it. lol Although, it is pretty sad right now. I look like I'm pregnant when I go to sit down. Kind of the "lean back and fall" routine with a moan. lol
SFGiantsMVP Posts: 1,533 Joined: 2005/12/04	2007/08/29, 08:41 PM I'm one that has had a hard time tring to find a good recovery from deads and squats! I have tried Contrast Baths, Bath Tube Full of Ice, Epsom Salt Baths and at time a combo of any 2. Then I started using Creatine Ethyl Ester and that has been the best so far! At time I just use it on leg days only! -------------- Knock-Um Down & Keep-Um Down!