Dropping a Deadlift

Written by MooreMuscle Founder and CEO, Adam Moore Simply put; social media has become a poor teacher of the barbell. Facebook and Instagram posts have made the habit of dropping or slamming a deadlift popular. Here's where that started and here's why it's wrong. Dropping bars became popular through watching Crossfit. While Crossfit did amazing things bringing attention to fitness, some things about fitness, most notably, etiquette, was lost. People who were new to fitness watched these incredible athletes dropping and slamming down deadlifts and thought "wow, that looks cool" or simply thought it was the way the lift was supposed to be completed. Ugh. So I'm from the old school, I was taught the barbell by means of a broomstick from before I can remember. You will NEVER see a member of the MooreMuscle Barbell Club slam or drop a deadlift bar. Let me tell you why .... First, anyone who knows the first thing about a barbell knows NOT TO DROP THEM. Yes, the rule is technically not to drop an EMPTY barbell but do you think dropping a bar with 600lbs on it does anything GOOD for the bar? Barbells are expensive. Even more expensive in today's world. Did you buy the bar you just dropped? Probably not. If you did, abuse your bar anyway you like, but make sure those around you who look up to you know that they aren't supposed to learn from you. Second, respect the equipment. Even if you don't care about the money, respect the barbell for all of the good things it does for you. Do you constantly beat up your car? If you do, it's not going to last as long. The barbell can change your life if you let it. Why treat it like trash? Third, understand strength. MOST of the strength of a rep is gained THROUGH THE NEGATIVE. The ECCENTRIC. You just did all that work to pick up a heavy barbell and you aren't going to get the most benefit out of your work? Not even half? That's like saying you want to lose fat so you go and do the treadmill just to buy McDonald's on the way home. HUH?? If you go through all the work of picking up that heavy deadlift, get the most out of the lift! Control the negative! Do you realize how much progress you're missing?! Fourth, and most importantly, lead by example. Take the three things above and pass them on to the next generation of lifters. The kids that look up to you in the gym. Your buddy that you bring to the gym and help teach. Do things the right way, respect the gym, respect the equipment and get stronger faster. Stop dropping bars. "If I can hear the bar when you put it down, you had no business deadlifting it."