I am a "mature" but in-shape guy... work-out 3/week and usually with a trainer/coach...

Did five sets of squats, then moved onto barebell deadlifts. Made it to fifth rep of first set with my trainer watching to ensure good form and then I felt that crippling lower back spasm! Had to be helped onto the massage table for him to work it out, and then we tried to do some stretches to relieve the tightness. Really bad pain for about a week, especially when getting up or sitting down (no problem when I am up and walking!) Saw the doc, who told me it's just muscular, nothing that requires medical intervention and that NO PERSON SHOULD EVER DO A DEADLIFT.

Seeking advice: to me deads are crucial... Agree or not? And what should I be doing either to get myself back to being able to do deads or in place of them? Need help - this is really bumming me out!

Hey man,

sorry to hear about your injury. I would agree and say that Deadlifts are a high risk exercise, especially if done incorrectly.

To me, deads are not crucial. They are a great compound exercise don't get me wrong. I do them now and then but I dont swear by them. Best thing to do is when you are healed, seek medical advice again to make sure you are healed fully and that it WAS only muscular.

For lower back, you can always try back extensions or rack pulls.

However, I think with proper form and lifting within your limits, you should be able to do deads safely. Try wearing a lifting belt for support

You may have been lifting too heavy and putting too much strain on yourself even with proper form.

Hope you get well soon and back on the wagon.

Regards

Declan

Richard,

It depends on what your ultimate goal is - is it strength, is it fitness, is it bodybuilding? If it is power and strength, then I agree deadlifts are critical and you need to do them regularly. You will just need to spread the workouts out so you are not doing squats and deadlifts the same day. That is too much on the lower back for a "mature" body.

If your goal is bodybuilding or fitness, deadlifts are not crucial and can be done less frequently or not at all. There are plenty of ways to build a big back and legs without deadlifts. The key here is exercises with the highest results-to-safety ratio. I agree that when done correctly deadlifts are as safe as anything. However unless you are a power lifter and do them regularly and consistently, very few people do them correctly every time.

John