Lats and Deadlifts

A vertical bar path lining the middle-foot is the ideal movement for barbell lifts. How do we maintain this relationship in the deadlift? By utilizing our lats. That's right! It's our lats' job to pull on the arms, which anchor to the weight. By contracting this powerful muscle mass, the iron is able to hug the shins and thighs as it travels up to the hips. During the lift, it's important to maintain the bar-body connection for optimal execution; if any relaxation occurs, proximity to the body (and force transmission through the trunk) will be compromised. So flex those lats and lift strong!