What are the pros and cons of Jefferson vs conventional deadlifts? - Project Sports
Nederlands | English | Deutsch | Türkçe | Tiếng Việt

Project Sports

Questions and answers about sports

What are the pros and cons of Jefferson vs conventional deadlifts?

6 min read

Asked by: Lori Maisch

What is the benefit of a Jefferson deadlift?

As we mentioned above, it’s a great way to train the legs and back with less shear force on the spine, and Dellanave has found that for many of his clients with back pain, concentrating on the Jefferson for a few weeks can help them return to conventional deadlifts pain free.

Is a Jefferson deadlift harder?

The average deadlift entered by men on Strength Level is less heavy than the average jefferson deadlift. The bodyweight of men entering deadlift lifts on Strength Level is on average less heavy than those entering jefferson deadlift lifts.

Are conventional deadlifts worth it?

The exercise isn’t to blame. It’s usually the inherent ego people bring to the exercise that results in trying to lift too much weight in comparison to their capabilities along with suboptimal technique. From a muscle building perspective, the risk/reward trade off of the deadlift may not be worth it for most people.

What are Jefferson squats good for?

Jefferson squats help build muscle in your entire body.



They target the triceps, hamstrings, adductors, and inner thighs. In addition to being a great strength-training exercise, Jefferson squats increase hypertrophy, affecting the visible size of muscles.

Why is it called the Jefferson deadlift?

Named after strongman Charles Jefferson, this lift has been around for a long time. Bruce Lee was even a fan of it. It has also gone by a few other names including the Jefferson squat, Jefferson lift, and straddle deadlift.

What is a Dorian deadlift?

The push off the floor is initiated by leg drive. Then as the bar gets to around knee height and the hamstrings have completed their part of the job, the rhomboids, lats, and traps work isometrically to hold position as the lockout is completed.

Did Steve Reeves do deadlifts?

Hercules Unchained



The Reeves deadlift is an old school exercise developed over six decades ago by one of the most famous bodybuilders of all time, Steve Reeves. Reeves was known for having an incredible V-taper and massive upper back that was so visually stunning that he was cast as Hercules in several films.

Who invented the Jefferson deadlift?

Thomas Jefferson

It’s the one true deadlift (as mentioned above). Most anabolic deadlift (something related to the bar grazing the crotch). It’s not cheating. Thomas Jefferson invented it.

How do you do the Jefferson deadlift?


Set up it a little bit more of a 90 degree angle. So this foot facing this wall this foot facing this wall. Now. Either way I'm gonna keep my chest facing forward the whole time.

Are Jefferson deadlifts good?

Some incredible benefits of Jefferson Deadlifts include:



Less stress on the spine and lower back. Improved core and stabilization muscles, which prevents unsafe rotation. Improved asymmetrical strength. Effective movement along an alternative plane of lifting.

What do Jefferson curls do?

The Jefferson curl provides low level loading in complete back and hip flexion to strengthen the back in positions and motions it’s rarely used and consequently tends to be vulnerable in. It serves as a protective exercise and can help with hip and back mobility.

Is it easier to deadlift or back squat?

Squats are arguably a more beginner-friendly exercise than deadlifts. Deadlifts require a specific technique that’s tougher to get down at first. You can also modify squats for different fitness levels. If you’re a beginner, you can start by doing wall squats, or sliding down a wall, until you have the technique down.

Which deadlift is best?

The trap bar deadlift is another great option that takes stress off of the lower back and puts it onto the legs. In fact, the trap bar deadlift acts as a hybrid between traditional squats and deadlifts, giving you the best of both worlds.

Do deadlifts increase testosterone?

The deadlift is a classic multi-jointed exercise that works the biggest muscle groups in your body, perfect for manufacturing more testosterone. The Journal of Strength of Conditioning Research found a significant T increase in college-age men after performing heavy deadlifts.

Which deadlift is best for quads?

So, a sumo deadlift is more knee-dominant than a conventional deadlift. Individual variances in limb-lengths aside, this is why those with weaker backs and stronger quads tend to do better at sumo deadlifts than conventional (the demands on your back are roughly 10% higher during conventional).

Which deadlift is the hardest?

The heaviest deadlift is 501 kg (1,104.5 lb), and was achieved by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (Iceland) at Thor’s Power Gym, Kópavogur, Iceland, on .

Which deadlift is best for your back?

Two such variations include the sumo deadlift and the trap bar deadlift.



So to recap:

  • Conventional deadlift = involves the greatest strain on the lower back (lumbar spine) and mobility requirements.
  • Sumo deadlift = involves slightly less strain on the lower back (lumbar spine) and less mobility requirements.

Which lift should be strongest?

barbell deadlift

There are two kinds of lifters in this world. Those who love the barbell deadlift, and those who hate it. If done correctly, you will feel the deadlift in almost every muscle in your body. The deadlift should be your strongest exercise.

Do deadlifts make your legs bigger?

Unsurprisingly no, the hamstrings and quads do not change much in length during a classic conventional deadlift. Therefore, they are taken through a limited ROM and we do not get a nice big stretch on these muscles, one of the most important factors for growth.

What percent of the population can bench 315?

Female Standards

Odds of being able to perform the lift Bench Press Curl
1:100,000 225 110
1:1,000,000 275 120
1:1,000,000,000 315 135
One on the planet 400 150

How much can the average man deadlift?

How Much Can the Average Man Deadlift? The average untrained man can deadlift around 155 pounds. Then, with three months of practice, he can deadlift 285 pounds for a single repetition.

Is 2x bodyweight deadlift good?

A double bodyweight deadlift is definitely strong but fairly common. Five of our female lifters deadlifted over double bodyweight at our meet in October. Some of them took several years to get there, while some of them got there in under two years of dedicated training.

Is a 500 lb deadlift impressive?

Christian Finn who is a well-respected fitness coach says that, “deadlifting twice your bodyweight (for a single repetition) represents a good level of strength for most people.” (Source) He also says that a “500-pound deadlift for a single lift is impressive for a drug-free, genetically “average” male weighing around

How much should a 17 year old deadlift?

What Is The Average Deadlift For A 17 Year Old? The average deadlift for male 17 year olds is 2.3 times bodyweight. The average deadlift strength of 17 year old females is 1.9 times bodyweight.

Is 185 a good bench for a 16 year old?

What Is The Average Bench Press For A 16 Year Old? The average bench for a male 16-year-old is 1.2 times bodyweight. The average bench for a female 16-year-old is 0.8 times bodyweight. Depending on the weight class, bench press will range from 67kg to 119kg for men and 38kg to 61kg for women.

Is a 405 deadlift strong?

A 405 deadlift, for example, would be a more-than 3x bodyweight lift for a 130-pound man and would qualify as an elite-level lift according to StrengthLevel.com. What is this? However, for a 300-pound man, a 405 deadlift is less than 1.5x bodyweight and would be considered only a novice-level lift.