My Zercher Deadlift

[Steven Calvanese]

What do you guys think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsWIjx7p2GM

[Christian Mason]

Foamy Lumber Curve Batman!

As long as you're aware of the curve and not pushing the weight you're probably OK. I'm paranoid about my lower back though.

[Robert Callahan]

May I ask why you are even doing Zecher Deadlifts??

[Steven Calvanese]

To increase my deadlift faster and to help with initial lift off.

[Robert Callahan]

Originally Posted by Steven Calvanese

To increase my deadlift faster and to help with initial lift off.

You would be much better served by working Halting Deadlifts and Power cleans for those goals. Zecher Deadlifts put a **** load of strain on your elbows as well as put your spine in a very vulnerable position (as you can see by your own lumbar curve). These two big detractors mean you will not be able to load enough weight to constitute a stress that will actually help your deadlift at all. Or you will load enough weight and seriously hurt yourself.

Like I said, Halting Deadlifts (where you just pull the weight up to your knees then lower it back down only using your legs keeping the back angle constant) and Power cleans will help with your lift off and increase your deadlift faster. IMHO at least

-Robert

[Steven Calvanese]

I try to do Zerchers once every 2 months. I do a lot of cleans and kb swings. Powerlifters recommended the Zercher deadlift to me. Zercher deadlifts are very hard on the core too, they almost replicated stone lifting.

Thanks

[Robert Callahan]

Originally Posted by Steven Calvanese

they almost replicated stone lifting.

except for the ridiculous amount of stress they put on your elbows.... and I do not see how they are more stressful on the core than a regular deadlift?

either way you can do whatever you please Just thought I would throw in my 2 cents. If you want to do them though you really need to lock out that lumbar curve. You need to have your back FLAT the whole time or you will hurt yourself doing them.

[Steven Calvanese]

I use a 2inch thick barbell so that takes off some of the pain on the elbows.
Ill try to keep my back more straight.

Try the more accepted Zercher Squat and you will understand how hard it hits the core.

[Eric Helms]

I'm paranoid about my lower back though.[/QUOTE]


Me too! When I was a sophomore in HS, around 1987 I weighed 145 lbs and could DL about 350#. Today is a whole diff story. I don't go over 225# anymore.

[Graeme Howland]

Is it possible to keep your back straight doing a zercher? I thought part of the point of a zercher deadlift or squat was to lift with a rounded lumbar spine and that they are often used to train for strong man events such as stone lfiting (not sure the correct name for the event). My understanding is that as long as the load is light compared to your 1RM deadlift/squat, it is "safe". Personally as a novice/intermediate I would never do them but I have seen a lot of really strong people do them.