The Deadlift Never Lies

Lessons Learned Under the Bar

THE DEADLIFT NEVER LIES

There is something different about standing over a heavy deadlift. It is just you and the weight, no-one to hand off and no momentum. The bar is motionless on the floor and your job is to pick it up. When there is max effort amount on the bar, strength alone isn’t going to cut it. Before you even pull the bar you will have had to already win the battle in your head.

A heavy deadlift deserves respect. Pretending otherwise is setting yourself up for failure. Once you have committed to the attempt, fear of failure and hesitation cannot be allowed into the lift. Respect happens before I approach the bar. Commitment happens once I do.
As a coach, I know my athletes recognize what’s on the bar is heavy, they’ve probably spent days thinking about this attempt. But once their hands wrap around the bar, there can’t be:

“Lets see what happens”

There has to be:

“I’m pulling this”

Confidence is knowing it is going to be difficult and committing anyway.

I clearly remember some of my best pulls. At the IPL World Cup, I had a great masters deadlift attempt at the end of a grueling meet. But another deadlift that sticks in my head, was done in the gym.

I had been really focusing on getting ready for a 700 pound attempt. I really wanted it and was pushing hard to get this checked off my “ to do” life list.

On this particular day, I had 690 pounds loaded on the bar and that set went really smooth. I decided today was the day. I loaded 705 pounds on the bar. A 700 pound deadlift is a great weight for any Powerlifter but is extra special for a Masters II athlete.

The bar was loaded, my head was dialed in and there was no chance in my mind I would miss it. I attacked the bar and had my first 700+ pound deadlift.

Goal achieved!

I was pleased my technique and focus held strong through the lift.

Looking back, it wasn’t the weight that was most important to me. It was what it took mentally to get to the bar and committing to pulling it.

That 705 demonstrated my mid 40’s peak strength, the ability to pull 630-650 pounds in my mid 50’s demonstrates something different, longevity.

Getting older didn’t eliminate my intensity, it taught me when to use it. As I grew older in the sport, somethings changed slightly and I gained more respect for recovery, programming, and fewer max attempts. I still have the ability to mentally turn it up when going for a big pull.

My opinion is this, being mentally tough means once your training has demonstrated you are prepared and the decision to attempt a weight has been made, you commit completely.

My 705 pound deadlift will always be one of the lifts I’m proudest of.

But looking back now, some of the 630 plus pound pulls Ive made well into my 50’s mean just as much.

The numbers changed, the lesson didn’t.

Prepare yourself. Respect the weight. Trust your training and when your hands close around the bar, commit to the pull.

LESSON LEARNED UNDER THE BAR:

Mental toughness isn’t the absence of doubt. It’s having the preparation and confidence to commit when the weight is in front of you.

About the Author:

Marty Killion is a 6 time IPL full power World Champion, 8 time IPL World record holder and  a 2022 inductee into the National Strength and Power Hall of Fame. He has spent more then 30 years competing, coaching and helping athletes reach their potential. Through Killion Strength Coaching and Laramie Fitness, he shares practical lessons learned from decades under the bar.