What are cues for proper deadlift form?

For proper deadlift form, the hosts of the Mind Pump Podcast suggest several effective cues:

1. Pushing Legs Down: Rather than lifting the bar, imagine pushing your legs through the floor. This helps in treating the legs as the driving force rather than the arms or upper body 1.

2. Driving Heels Down: A powerful cue is to drive your heels into the floor while thrusting your hips forward. This helps in properly utilizing the lower body's power to lift the bar 1.

3. Locking the Arms: Ensure your arms are totally straight when starting the lift to prevent injuries and to effectively transfer the lifting force from your legs and core to the bar 2.

4. Activating the Lats: Engage your lats by pulling your shoulder blades down and back, which aids in the stability of the upper body during the lift 2.

5. Flat Shoes: Wearing flat shoes or going barefoot allows better stability and force transfer as any heel elevation can shift your center of gravity forward, making proper form more difficult 3.

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     1

     Lifting Techniques

     00:33:38
     
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     2

     Deadlift Dynamics

     00:29:45
     
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     3

     Deadlift Techniques

     01:15:38
     

These cues emphasize the importance of driving force through the legs and maintaining a stable, engaged upper body to safely and effectively perform the deadlift.