Deadlifts are often hailed as the king of strength lifts due to the many muscles involved in the compound movement. In early June 2025, powerlifter and founder of Calgary Barbell Bryce Krawczyk shared a four-step tutorial and three accessory exercises for improving deadlift strength.
4 Tips to Deadlift Mastery
- Shoulder blades over the bar
- Balance weight across feet
- Tense the hips, don’t lift them
- Bear the load off the floor
Shoulder Blades Over the Bar
A common deadlift mistake is positioning the body behind the bar, shifting the bar path back, causing the hips to rise prematurely.
- To fix this, bring the shoulder blades—not just the front delts—over the bar. The knees should sit over the bar for proper quad involvement.
Balanced Foot Pressure
Balance and stability are paramount to proper deadlift. Shifting forward onto the forefoot or leaning back onto the heels is inefficient and limits leverage. Instead, position the bar over the midfoot, or above the shoe laces.
Hip Tension, Not Low Hips
Lifters often try to lower their hips excessively before pulling, causing two issues:
- The hips have to pop up
- Potentially getting stuck in that position.
“Think about hip tension. It should be a feeling… everything is tight; rigid,” Krawczyk said. This can vary due to physical differences (e.g., limb lengths, mobility) and may require experimentation.
After finding the tension, engage the upper body and pull yourself to the bar to perform the lift.
Let It Be Hard Off the Floor
“Let it be hard off the floor…commit to the position you start in and keep pushing,” Krawczyk explained.
This is a helpful cue for those who’ve already established a good starting position. Committing, even when it feels hard, rather than lifting the hips to find a perceived better position, secures better biomechanics.
Deadlift Accessory Exercises
- Pause Deadlifts: Pausing just off the floor before pulling through to lockout builds awareness and strength through the lift’s most challenging range.
- Snatch Grip Deadlifts: The wide grip reinforces proper positioning, addresses premature hip rise, and challenges grip strength. The bar should lock out near the belt line.
- Sumo Deadlifts for Conventional Strength: Enhances quad engagement and stability via stronger bracing.
Supplemental Strength Builders
- Leg Press: Adding size and strength to the quads can improve initial leg drive.
- Direct Core Work: Isolation exercises like weighted crunches and sit-ups.
- Heavy Back Work: Building a strong upper and mid-back with heavy barbell or chest-supported rows helps maintain posture and control.
“We want to do heavy barbell rows…to an appropriate but high RPE,” Krawczyk expressed.
Building a better deadlift involves pulling smarter, not just harder. Adjusting your setup, using the right cues, and supportive exercises will yield short-term and long-term improvements.
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Featured image: @bryce_cbb on Instagram
