lowering the bar.

 

I love deadlifts. There’s something so empowering about being able to lift something as organic as steel and rubber and the equivalent in weight to an NFL player, up off of the ground with your bare hands. Sometimes it can lead to seeing stars and hear ringing in your ears. As was the case for me on this last barbel gymnastic.

I had to steady myself on the bumpers after dropping the weight to the floor as my vision went foggy and there was a dense ringing in my ears. Passing out on the floor of the triple-wide was the next step in the progression and I simply didn’t want that to happen. So after each lift I calmly tried to steady myself and breathe deep. Within seconds the blurred vision and ringing ears subsided and I felt whole again and ready for the next attempt.

Someone suggested that instead of letting the bar drop to the ground, following through with your lift all the way to the end by lowering the bar to the ground. I can’t remember if I dropped or lowered the bar each time but this makes sense to me, as during the process it seems you would be restoring the oxygen and equilibrium in your body. Also it is my understanding that during most competitions you are not allowed to simply drop the bar from the top of the deadlift. Your lift is disqualified if you do.

ie. Lowering the bar is good practice.