I'm an excited newbie with a dead lift question!

Gott2WorkOut

Gott2WorkOut

Active Member
Cathe,

I am just shy of 37 years old and am a new Catheite who has signed up for your August road show, ordered STS, and bought over 30 Cathe DVDs the past year and a half.

I used to live in Washington, DC and worked out in a gym with a trainer. I got married and moved where it was not convenient to drive to a gym. Although my husband has a lot of professional workout equipment, I found myself frustrated with the same work outs.

I am so happy I discovered your DVDs. My results from your work outs have been greater than ever (even with a trainer). You have a unique way of being truly motivating on a DVD. My first DVD was Step Blast, Step Jump and Pump. I couldn't believe that I could have fun doing a work out at that high of an intensity level. I am still like a kid in the candy store when I get home from work because I have so many of your workouts to choose!

My question is: I really struggle with dead lifts. My hamstrings are very tight and I can only maintain a flat back until the weights are at my knees. On your videos, you seem to go way past your knees. What can I do to improve my dead lifts?

Lisa.
 
Lisa,

Welcome and congrats on the road trip. I am going on the July road trip.
Have you tried slightly bending your knees when doing deadlifts? Having my knees bent seems to help me when I'm feeling tight. Also, be sure and keep your shoulders back when doing the deadlifts, it helps to keep your back flat.

Hope this helps
 
Carolyn,

Thanks for your reply. I do slightly bend my knees and also keep my shoulders back, but I still struggle to improve my dead lifts. I've been doing them for a year and still can just get to my knees (if I want to maintain a flat back), and I wonder if my hamstrings are still getting a workout?

Lisa.
 
Something I learned on this forum was to really push out my glutes when doing deadlifts. If you have Pure Strength Legs, Cathe does a very good demonstration of this. When I push out my rear, it puts the emphasis on my hamstrings rather than my back.
 
>My question is: I really struggle with dead lifts. My
>hamstrings are very tight and I can only maintain a flat back
>until the weights are at my knees. On your videos, you seem
>to go way past your knees. What can I do to improve my dead
>lifts?
>
>Lisa.

Hi, Lisa!

Add some extra stretches for the hamstrings after each workout, and possibly add more stretching at other times. Also stretch the lower back and glutes, as tightness in any of these areas can cause shortened ROM in deadlifts.

(You're doing the right thing, though, it seems, if you are going down only as far as you can keep your back in it's natural arch).
 
Hi Lisa -- and welcome to the boards! Do you have the incline risers that Cathe sells? I do my deadlifts on my incline platform, and automatically, by having the toes elevated it begins to lengthen the hamstrings. That has helped me to be able to go farther into the move when I don't use the incline. And I find the incline to be much more comfortable and stable than putting my toes on weights as Cathe does in some of the lower body workouts. Good luck.

Lorrie

www.picturetrail.com/lsass
 
Thanks DawnCharlie!

I checked out the DVD you mentioned and ended up buying it. Between what you said and one of the reviews that said the video was great for learning how to use proper form, it sounds like just what i need.

Besides, there is no such thing as having too many Cathe DVDs!

Lisa.
 
Lorrie - I do have the incline platform, and I will try this the next time I do dead lifts. thanks.

This forum is great. I've only been on it for less than 24 hours and I have already received some good advice from members.

I cannot wait for the road show and for STS! I am beyond excited.

Lisa.
 
Lisa,

I just had to send a reply since your description of yourself sounded like me--I'm going on the August road trip, too. :) My first road trip! I discovered Cathe about August last year (I happened to pick up Step Jam in the library) and got so hooked that I now own almost all of her workouts and actually enjoy exercise! I live just outside Washington, DC. See you in August. :)

Dawn
 
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