Why Deadlifts ARE Dangerous (Response To Joe Rogan | Robert Oberst)

A few days ago, Strongman Robert Oberst made a comment that broke the internet.... well maybe not the whole internet but within the fitness/lifting community it did indeed. These are my thoughts....
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[@anthonysullo7041]

I finally found an excuse to stop deadlifting and your screwing it up with your alternative facts.

[@danielday-lewis9176]

Calm and objective. No stupid jokes, no insults, no taunting. Just like in the skipping breakfast video. Just pure, cold information - like in the old days:D Love it and keep it up!

[@theironforce3000]

Yep - Same thing I said in previous 'Breakfast skipping' vid. I enjoy this tone for sure . Glad he also touched on this topic. Many other channels were flaming Roberts DL comment. Seemed Layne was neutral with it. As am I. 👍

[@seattletyler]

Might have to stop disliking his videos, if this format continues

[@nathan9286]

X2 keep the old days coming

[@rawirihemi27]

“Those are just my feelings, feelings aren’t data”......yesssssssss

[@euphoricparasite]

Deadlifts absolutely aren’t worth it unless you’re competing. My friend just herniated a disc and has an avulsion fracture from deadlifting yesterday, I just recovered from doing god knows what to my back deadlifting . I’m done with deadlifts.

[@rob5541]

Surprised you weren't downvoted I to oblivion saying the obvious. Deadlifting is an advanced lifting technique that should be trained as such. It basically mimics the wrong way to pick up a couch.

[@marcus_ohreallyus]

I'm convinced deadlift has made my back stronger. Before I started deadlifting, I had strained my lower back several times while squatting. Deadlifting heavy has basically given me an armored core...I'm 178 lbs and can pull 2.5 times my weight for reps with no belt -- and I've never hurt myself. The potential to injure yourself is there, but only if you don't know what you're doing.

[@louish3010]

What's your height? Deadlifts made me bulletproof, same weight as you 5'10 doing 405 for over 20 straight no bounce when I used to lift.

[@marcus_ohreallyus]

@@louish3010 5 foot 9

[@starlitshadows]

I feel like deadlifts made me much less vulnerable to injury actually. I'm not able to lift like I used to and I've injured my back a few times since on basic daily bullshit. If you can do them and do them properly, at least personally I feel like the added strength to your core is beneficial. At the same time I also never maxed on deadlifts, lowest I ever went was 4 and usually kept it at 6.

[@gabrielsticks2829]

Stroooong

[@andrewb2156]

Dead lifts have giving me a bullet proof upper and lower back

[@mrjjman2010]

“It’s a lot more nuanced than that” should be how every conversation about fitness, nutrition, and a great many other topics begins. I think that’s a large part of the difference between dim-witted and bright people is understanding there is nuance in almost everything, and applications to almost everything. Another pertinent saying, especially in the fitness industry, should be “the plural of anecdote is not data” but I know you’re already a fan of that one.

[@sminxsmjs]

People are looking so much into what he said even though all he meant was basically "if you don't compete - don't wreck yourself on deadlifts, it's not worth it". And he's 100% right.

[@comfortablyad2164]

Lol😂😂😂

[@Luke-id1cp]

P**** talking bro

[@mac5917]

No he Said the average person shouldn’t deadlift clearly, which is stupid

[@rob5541]

​@@mac5917the average person should not deadlift. It's an advanced technique. That means above average.

[@annabolictraining]

wow so calm.

[@dvdgnz1]

Good video. I myself do trap bar deads and rack deads. I've had too many injuries with normal deads.

[@hm1rza]

This style is so much better than the (unnecessarily) competitive one of old ! Keep it up.

[@botaqhead]

I love deadlifts. It's knee friendly for my late 40s peri menopausal osteoarthritis knees.

[@starlitshadows]

Nice job on this video. Does it make a difference whether you are doing max lifts or higher reps? I feel like using a bit higher reps for bodybuilding purposes is a bit safer for my body. My back was actually stronger and less prone to injury with them than without them to be honest.

[@jonnyg9330]

Shout out to Matt Nein at Salisbury...d3 football isnt the best but he taught good form and had a great program. My strength went way up thanks to him.

[@nolan7607]

this is how you should approach every exercise/nutritional topic you disagree with. Not that your anger towards all the BS supplement and diet claims aren't justified, I just think you'll be more successful if you approach everything with this attitude. Great video

[@kylorenkardashian5518]

heavy deadlift is bad, there I fixed it

[@tylera86]

KyloRen Kardashian false. Bad program and poor fatigue management are bad.

[@kylorenkardashian5518]

@@tylera86 95% of the population should avoid traditional deadlift all together. explosion athlete's should concentrate on power clean. for everyone else high reward/low risk results can be achieved with squats & lunges

[@tylera86]

KyloRen Kardashian That’s nonsense. What evidence do you have? You really don’t know what you’re talking about

[@jnightmare0]

@@kylorenkardashian5518 progressive overload is the only way to achieve more muscle, so what happens if someone loads the bar with too much weight and squat and fuck their legs up, at least with a deadlift you can use other parts of your body to help lift the weight

[@peepoos]

@@kylorenkardashian5518 heavy squat completely fucked my knees, however with deadlifts i can load up 500 and feel perfect in my knees and back lol

[@sumbitch3rdgen]

Seeing Layne's receding hairline on my 4K UltraHD 55 inch TV is something else

[@IAMCHINOMARIN]

sumbitch3rdgen 😂😂😂

[@corwynwarwaruk2141]

I have 3 torn rotator cuff tendons in my right shoulder. I wish I could use my arms for heavy lifting. Hopefully I will be able to lift heavy after shoulder surgery.

[@mmholling87]

I competed for years in the USAPL and pulled conventional 3X BW. After two back injuries I stopped competing and deadlifting. IMO, it's not worth the risk unless I am getting paid. Squats for life though.

[@oneillfitness]

Two back injuries? You must have shitty form or bad genetics. I’m pulling almost 3.5 times bodyweight and I’ve had zero big injuries.

[@biolayne1]

congrats, keep lifting and see if you feel the same way in 10 years

[@awesomet8388]

Rack pulls and trap bars are the way to go, after I injured my back .For the average gym joe they are completely unnecessary, you can get plenty strong and fit with alternatives.

[@TrustNJesusChrist]

@@awesomet8388 Hex bar/trap bars are becoming popular actually. I have one, and am thinking I will start using it for a while. In all honesty, in a real life situation, you would be lifting similar to a trap bar anyway, you would never really lift weight in front of you awkwardly like a traditional deadlift or sumo. That is just a back breaker waiting to happen in real life.

[@mac5917]

There is a huge difference between pushing your body at extreme rates and just deadlifting submaximal weights for health and strength

[@rhbrand1]

I have found that deadlifting has helped keep my back strong for my job as a nurse. Starting to have to move more and more 300+lb people. Hell on the back. But heavier deadlifts, my back is stronger than pretty much all my other nurse co-workers.

[@SuperheroStrength]

Great video. I had similar thoughts when I listened to him saying this on the podcast.

[@mcknghtn]

I like to sumo deadlift for the glutes, hams, and traps all in one exercise

[@lmc4964]

i only do the hex bar based on risk reward, i like the idea of lifting weight through your centre of gravity and not in front of you.

[@evilish7]

lifting things in real life never happens in your ideal centre of gravity, mostly when it's in front of you

[@lmc4964]

@@evilish7 a wheelbarrow came to mind? the conventional deadlift is a bit artificial too, the way the hands and arms are used.

[@TrustNJesusChrist]

@@evilish7 When are you ever lifting something as awkward as a barbell NON NEUTRAL grip with the weight pulling you away from your center? They always tell you to lift with your legs, conventional deadlift doesn't mimic real life, the hex bar does tho. It is similar to carrying heavy bags or other objects on the sides of you.

[@Seda1979]

LIKED the vid: You always make valid points Doc... I personally do RDLs (for the hammys as well as the posterior chain)... But you're right, going "heavy" like 8 RPE is no "walk in the park", I cycle it in periodically but I'm not a competitive bodybuilder so I don't "force the issue" it's usually one of those things I do, when I feel like a little change up from my normal "leg/back routine"✌

[@45paisley]

Layne, would love to see your thoughts regarding the research pertaining to L-Norvaline. Is it harmful at the levels that it is present in most pre-workouts?

[@alex_stanley]

I'm tall and wiry (6', down from 6'1.5"), and I have lower back pain that prevented me from running or jumping. Bodybuilding, including deadlifts, is why I can run and jump today. The key: I start from standing and only lower the bar to my knees. When I started 3 years ago, I had trouble with 20#. Currently, I'm doing 14 reps at 145.

[@PenguinCrayon269]

that's called RDL

[@Chrome47]

I think the intensity is usually an issue for people. It’s easy to go heavy with deadlifts as you can simply release the bar with no consequence. I remember high school coaches not liking us doing deadlifts.

[@Gaia.S]

Bulging disc in the spine doing the deadlift, don't recommend the deadlift for the long term the mechanics of loaded flexion on the spine is stupid. If you argue form then I guarantee you the last few reps when you are pushing yourself is where form collapses then it will hit you.

[@55schfiftyfive55]

Sorry to hear about your spine, but bottom line is you shouldn't be pushing yourself to form breakdown with heavy compound movements, especially the deadlift. The deadlift is perfectly safe when done properly.

[@RedScareClair]

The thing I found strange was he said why do you think you see teams to power cleans, etc instead of the DL. That makes no sense.

[@nateperryshootingsports6201]

Does anyone have a link to the injury data he references?

[@Wellwhatevernevermind]

Research suggests people with good form have the same injury rate as people with "bad form". Managing total training stress (intelligent programing) appears to have a higher influence on mitigating injury risk.

[@dylansevitt]

How could you measure such data? Where do you see research examining "bad form" at maximal loads?

[@Wellwhatevernevermind]

@@dylansevitt Hey Dylan, check out the info discussed in this podcast. Citations are also in the description. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGWWnoaHes-Nj5o

[@victorvaldez6785]

Thank you for the video Layne, we would like some love here too. Only instagram gets love.

[@juahnhatwell]

Agree with all the point Layne alltho I would presume injuries in team sports is probably higher due to another human forcing your body in ways it's not suppose to move, high impact etc so I would like to know what rates on injuries in team sports is in the gym vs powerlifitng strongman ETC

[@CequalsRN]

Great video!

[@davidshaw8846]

It's kind of ridiculous how many videos are getting made about this. His comments were all in the context of his experiences mainly, that being, strongman. While people can certainly disagree with the nuances he made, it's just crazy how many people feel the need to make a video about this "showing" how wrong he was etc. etc. Typical of the internet - somebody says something, and everybody flips a lid.

[@biolayne1]

I'm sorry, where was I nasty towards him or said he was an idiot?

[@chrishartley999]

but its 2019.... its feels before reals

[@ryanbothun250]

Would knowing how many deadlifting injuries occur at max effort/near max effort weight ranges relative to lighter weight ranges tell us how dangerous the overall movement really is? It seems like the danger would exponentially increase the closer you are to your limit. Deadlifting 1% of your max is obviously less dangerous than 99% of your max. It would probably be better to say that people who don't compete don't necessarily need to take on the risks involved with maxing out, rather than telling them to avoid this great lift altogether.

[@TrustNJesusChrist]

Just do a trap/hex bar deadlift.

[@rogiervantilburg3440]

Makes sense to me!

[@brandonlarson1490]

I mean..personally, I’ve never seen bigger results from any lift than deadlift, and the closest is probably hang cleans. However, I’ve injured myself several times doing deadlifts. That being said, every time I’ve injured myself deadlifting it’s because I had metal blasting in my ears every time I went at it, and always lifted as hard as I could and certainly let my form slip. I think THATS why a lot of (probably most) people should avoid deadlifts. It’s just so easy to get yourself so psyched to lift some heavy shit off the floor that you start getting stupid. If your smart and manage your load and only go balls to the wall on them on occasion, deadlift is amazing. As far as cleans go, he specifically talks about power cleans and hang cleans. Full cleans are done at much heavier weights and require you to catch in a much lower and more dangerous position. Hang cleans and power cleans are all about getting that weight up high enough that you essentially catch it standing upright. I personally love hang cleans. Similar movement with a lot of intensity still, but you’re not in those same compromising positions as a deadlift or a full clean. Plus I find the way you have to really explode the bar up is just plain fun. I’ve gotten great results from them and have never gotten injured. But that’s just me 🤷‍♂️

[@1985Crystal]

I agree with you bro

[@christopherdockstader16]

The benefit is also what you feel is important to you. If you don't care about legs, then of course it is not worth it, especially joint grinding heavy lifts. But I think most people could agree that light weight/high repetitions would be 'beneficial' to anyone for almost anything.

[@NeuroPulse]

Thank for cleaning that up.

[@Moowe291]

The motion for deadlifting is a necessary common motion that you will use all throughout your life. It's a matter of heavy deadlifting that is the concern. In either case, I believe Robert's advice was aimed at individuals who automatically assume that deadlifting is in their future if they are an athlete, already lift weights, or are beginners. Deadlifts will in fact make you stronger and if you do them correctly then you are fine. However I think most people can agree that learning the execution for doing the lift takes a good amount of practice and does in fact carry a scary risk if you do not correct it. However that statement rings true for anyone risking any heavy lifting as well.

[@TrustNJesusChrist]

You will never or rarely EVER come across a fucking object in your life that is similar to a conventional deadlift. A hex bar deadlift maybe, which is kind of similar to farmer carries (weights on both sides, similar to carrying groceries or two heavy objects in each hand). No one is picking up an awkward object like a barbell in real life. The way your hands are gripped in a conventional deadlift says it all, its not neutral.

[@homeofthegooddeal]

I like the hex bar for deadlifts

[@TheSmiaf]

I agree. U need to understand posture... be in the right state of mind....focussed and not fatigued. Like I was a few weeks ago after BJJ training tired not focussed...my back hurted for the first time ever. I'm good again now.

[@pldl200]

straight to the point, no bullshit. Love this Norton guy for being honest and straight forward. but i guess he'd be pretty bad negotiator or a diplomat.

[@veterannavy304]

I'm not doing something that can make me pass out . Be different if it was a contact sport ko but to do something where you don't get a chance y hit back and don't know when you going to pass out is worst than getting drunk.

[@anthonyluisi7096]

I would think deadlifts would be better for strength and overall power and fitness if your taking about high school and college sports training compared to power cleans and their derivatives. The power clean and clean and jerk is a super technical lift that requires a competent coach . I would think 🤔 an entire sports team doing these would be difficult to coach on A team level compared to the deadlift ? Your thoughts ? If your talking risk/reward ... the clean and jerk /power clean would have a higher injury risk / reward ? I’m not sure 🤔?

[@mothernature1755]

Deadlifts are great exercises and everyone should try them. Even if you are a beginner and you just lift the bar by itself. Just be careful and don't lift weights you can't handle. Not every dead-lift needs to be a PR

[@PFeal]

The simple statement is deadlifting with poor form and then adding heavy weight to that poor form is bad. Great form and progressive overload with deadlifts builds your strongest body.

[@daliazawil]

Thank you for another video! would love if you could pleaaaase put the studies and the other videos you mention sometimes in the description box. it would help a ton. thank uu

[@RyanRickyW]

Why only 150k subs ??. . Layne was the best.

[@samuelfry8192]

I was under the impression that regular barbell deadlift contributed to an overall stronger physique, hits every major muscle group and unlike squats actually uses upper body muscles. Any excersise can be dangerous with shitty form be it deadlifts or bicep curls lol

[@ElevatedLevetator]

Squat uses every muscle almost. You ligerally have the weight on top of you.

[@michaellaviola3125]

Why do powerlifters and weightlifters always talk about having lower rates of injuries compared to other sports. Isn't it comparing apples to oranges. Sports like football and soccer are contact sports also many other sports have constant change of direction, acceleration and de-accelerating, which can put lots of strain on ligaments. Also just overall time spent competing is way shorter. 3 attempts for 2-3 lifts (depending powerlifting or weightlifting).

[@tjsho417]

Michael Laviola bro do you even lift bro? Bro? Hey bro, I’m brosking you a serious question, bro.

[@Grendelbc]

Good common sense info. If you push your body hard at anything - sport, exercise, physical work - you're going to collect some injuries over time. Find a good chiropractor and use your body sensibly. Know when you back off and heal. I've been doing deadlifts for nearly 50 years. I use my trap bar more than a straight bar but I still use both. I don't do those all-out, gut-busting reps where my form breaks down these days. In retrospect, maybe I should have never done them, hehe. At almost 62 my back feels great and I can still do singles in good form with well over 500 on the straight bar and nearly 600 on my trap bar. DLs are just too important for anybody who wants real strength to skip them.

[@StevePhillips76]

I have had lower back problems for 20+ years, since I started working out consistently a little over 6 months ago my back feels so much better. It seems that starting with light weight deadlifts as well as a well rounded exercise program (including core work of course) had helped my back out. I appreciate how you mentioned form, having a good teacher focusing on my form had been important for me. Thank you for the video, I like the calm approach but I also find humor in your sarcastic videos too!

[@frankfrankerson8127]

Farmer squats are about as close to deadlifts that I get lol. I never felt the hype. Thrusts, leg curls, and shrugs. A lot of older guys will tell that "the reward isn't worth the risk ". Some people say "if I couldn't deadlift, I wouldn't lift at all". Unless it's part of your practice (power lifting etc...) or you just love love it, theres no real necessity for it. I will point out that it's one of those things that tend to get disproportionate. Deadlift 500 pounds and only benching 200. This is a dangerous unevenness. Plus......never lift with your back lol

[@TrustNJesusChrist]

Well, technically the traditional deadlift is supposed to start with your legs anyway, than as you get the bar further up, it hits your back and hip hinge. But I know what you are saying. The problem with the traditional deadlift is its awkwardness and lack of balance in your center. I feel that if I encounter an object I need to lift in real life that is going to pull me off center, I should really reposition myself so that I have much more control over it and it is not pulling me forward like the traditional deadlift does.

[@ksangharsh57]

For the algorithm!!

[@factsnchill168]

The lifting sports also have a lower rate of injury because more people play other sports compared to purely lifting. That being said, deadlifts are necessary for everyone.

[@biolayne1]

they didn't look at the total number, it was the percentage of injuries

[@benklint6644]

Look into barbell medicine. It was created by two Doctors who are powerlifters, and they provide a plethora of knowledge on the benefits of strength training.

[@Magnulus76]

At the very least, you need to respect the weight and check your ego. Back injuries can be very debilitating and typically heal poorly.

[@gregbaker5128]

You talking about nuance confirms the need for a video or podcast with the guys from barbell medicine. When is that coming?!

[@ItsTheMunz]

I think what strong guy basically meant loading plate after plate on a bar and doing heavy deadlifts for reps is overrated and kinda stupid to which I would say he's correct. Trap bar is better for most peeps. Barbell is fine but keep the reps probably 5 and up.

[@posthawk1393]

Both myself and my father FIXED our back pain by deadlifting correctly. You want to alleviate back pain? Strengthen your back correctly.

[@deadcakesandpanlifts2019]

Citation desperately needed for the form-danger part.

[@princethakur2206]

😮

[@WarrenRedlich]

Injury rates among trained athletes are not helpful. The question is what injury rates are for relatively untrained schmucks like me. 🙂

[@skyekingdom0]

not even gonna lie, was lifting with my boy last week and he broke his back ( not broke but he was fucked up ) deadlifting lol

[@Sergmanny46]

The only thing I care about is that if my artery will tear and I'll die from a massive internal bleeding.

[@greg9069]

No one knows how much room they have in their spinal canal for the nerves to pass until it’s too late. Some people can have several bulging discs and not even know it. Others can have one bad day and bust a disc and be totally crippled because the nerves in their spinal canal had no margin for error. If you don’t understand the anatomy, or that discs are not solid, in anyone body. Discs are not muscle, they are not bone. It’s like a jelly donut.. again, all it takes is a little bit of fatigue that you may not even notice, for that weight to shift from the glutes into the low back, and that jelly donut gets crushed and can cause severe nerve pain, disability, loss of bladder or bowel, or total paralysis. This guy didn’t touch on any of that. You act like the big muscles are the only ones working.. meanwhile there are hundreds of erector muscles stabilizing the core and low back, all it takes is one bad day.

[@alessio7375]

its dangerous if the form suck like urs, n i do able to lift 675pounds before u ask me

[@biolayne1]

sure you do Mr. Anonymous

[@TrustNJesusChrist]

I would love to see your perfect 675lb non rounded back form.

[@ColinDeWaay]

Moral of the story is shitty deadlifts are dangerous 😂

[@respectpill882]

What he said was so biased informarion. When Robert talks deadlift he basically means 100000pounds to lift. This is not a bodybuilding, is a strong competition with risk. Is like bench 10009 pounds just to push it once. Deadlifts are fuckin awesome and totally helped me with my lower back pain. I do lift heavy i just don't lift to prove i m stronger than all. Be smart.

[@rebekahbailey7332]

Witnessed some gym members pulling with curved backs today, ooooopppphhhh.

[@alexdelarge2095]

Hex bar forever.

[@SledgehammerEditing]

If you pull sumo then you probably shouldn't think you have authority, you already tried cheating yourself.

[@LAskeHosting]

RDL4EVER!

[@13percenter48]

I don't fuck with deadlifts PERIOD. Shit is pointless.

[@ambianist1262]

Do deadlifts. Do them well.

[@TrentTheMegaGangster]

The fake merc does 500lb deadlifts on the reg 100% injury free. Non-negotiable

[@Adrien_broner]

Fake merc?

[@iamzebra7025]

Deadlift: maybe the worlds safest lift. Robert Oberst: maybe the worlds dummest (strong)man.

[@alexdelarge2095]

I am Zebra: definitely the world's stupidest comment.

[@iamzebra7025]

Alex DeLarge Glad you get it...👍

[@user-es8tt4nr2z]

deadlifts are cancer, wish I'd never done them.

[@CrazedFandango]

99% of internet posts are nonsense....including this one

[@williamaronchapmanjr.5671]

I like how Layne uses rogans name in the title to push views... not to mention Layne has no room to talk, he has some of the worst form out there, anyone that takes advice from Layne will end up getting Injured... every week it seems layne gets hurt then post a "comeback" video lol

[@pldl200]

sounds like your mum still changes your diapers;)