Deficit Deadlift

A back exercise targeting the lower back, performed with barbell.

Deficit Deadlift demonstration
Deficit Deadlift — demonstration

Body part

Back

Equipment

Barbell

Target muscles

Lower Back

Secondary muscles

Forearms, Glutes, Hamstrings, Middle Back, Quadriceps, Traps

How to do Deficit Deadlift

  1. Begin by having a platform or weight plates that you can stand on, usually 1-3 inches in height. Approach the bar so that it is centered over your feet. You feet should be about hip width apart. Bend at the hip to grip the bar at shoulder width, allowing your shoulder blades to protract. Typically, you would use an overhand grip or an over/under grip on heavier sets.

  2. With your feet, and your grip set, take a big breath and then lower your hips and bend the knees until your shins contact the bar. Look forward with your head, keep your chest up and your back arched, and begin driving through the heels to move the weight upward. After the bar passes the knees, aggressively pull the bar back, pulling your shoulder blades together as you drive your hips forward into the bar.

  3. Lower the bar by bending at the hips and guiding it to the floor.

Muscles worked

Primary (target)

Lower Back

Secondary

ForearmsGlutesHamstringsMiddle BackQuadricepsTraps

Related exercises

All back exercises →

Track Deficit Deadlift in NutriMind

Log your sets and the app does the rest — automatic PR detection, progression charts for every lift, and progressive overload that adjusts your next workout. Paired with AI nutrition coaching so your training and your plate pull in the same direction.

Planning your next heavy session? Estimate your max with the One Rep Max Calculator and build up to it with the Warm-up Calculator. More free tools →