Deadlift Feeling Off? Try This Quick & Subtle Fix for a Stronger Pull
If you tend to feel your deadlifts more in your back—or you’ve noticed your upper back and shoulders getting a bit “droopy” during the lift—this quick video tip might be the thing you’ve been missing.
We just dropped a short video demoing a subtle adjustment in the Romanian Deadlift that can have a big impact on how the lift feels and performs, especially if staying tight has been a struggle for you.
Here’s the idea: while the deadlift often benefits from a “long arm” position (especially from the floor, to minimize range of motion), the real game-changer might be how you use your shoulders and lats to stay braced.
The lats are massive, wing-like muscles that play a key role in keeping the torso tight and aligned. When we tension the shoulders—almost like we’re trying to “crush something in our armpits”—we engage the lats and create a more solid, stable torso. This not only supports your spine but can actually help the bar stay closer to your center of mass as your hips initiate and guide the movement.
It might not be the fix for everyone, but if you’ve tried other cues without much success, this one is definitely worth a shot.
🔑 Quick Recap: Key Points from the Video
Start by taking the bar out of the rack (for the RDL variation).
Step back and set your feet around hip-width apart.
Tension your armpits—think: crush something in there!
Engage your lats and shoulders to create a solid torso.
Brace!
Hinge from the hips, letting them guide the movement while keeping the bar close to your body.
And yes—you can absolutely apply this cue in your conventional deadlift too, even with a longer, shoulder-width grip pulling from the floor. The goal is always to feel more solid, move from the hips, and build strength in the places you’re aiming to.
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We’re beyond excited to welcome Stephanie Stephens and Nick Sciacqua to the team!
Stephanie brings a dynamic and diverse background in Pilates, group fitness, and strength training. She’s passionate about helping people feel empowered and strong in their own bodies—no matter where they’re starting from.
Nick has deep roots in performance and team sports, and is especially skilled at working with individuals navigating pain, discomfort, or injury. His background in prehab and rehab makes him a fantastic asset to anyone looking to train smarter and more sustainably.
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Let us know if you give the cue a try—and if you’ve got questions or want help dialing in your deadlift, drop us a message or chat with a coach. We’re here to help!
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Announcements:
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