Dead strong

Want to bolster your muscles and get better at everything you do in the gym? Perfect one of the three big lifts: the deadlift

Never tried a deadlift before? You're missing out. 'You need to be doing this move,' says Richard Tidmarsh, lead trainer at London's Reach Fitness. Here at WF, we've long been huge advocates of lifting weights, but it's nice to see such a huge phenomenon take off thanks to its benefits for strength, fat loss and wellbeing.

But let's get one thing straight: you can only reap these amazing benefits if you're doing it properly. 'Awful form, wasting time on isolate movements and using weights that are too light or too heavy are all common mistakes,' says Richard.

So let's take a step back and look at the humble deadlift. 'It works pretty much every major muscle group in your body hitting your back, glutes, legs and core. So, if you get it right, it'll improve your posture and strength – and, with time and the right training plan, will be a huge weapon in your armoury to add lean tissue to your body.'

Deadlift

Technique

-Set up behind the bar with it touching your shins. Hinge at the hips and knees taking a grip a little wider than shoulder-width apart. With your weight in your heels and spine long and straight, prepare to lift with your chin in a neutral position.

-Now with a deep breath in that you will hold tight during this phase, simultaneously push down through the floor with your heels and drive up with your hips and legs to lift the bar. Maintain a straight spine with your shoulder blades pulled together throughout with your core and back engaged.

-Finish the lift by locking out to full hip extension and standing up straight with the bar tight against you, your back and glutes engaged. You then return the bar in reverse order to the floor, maintaining the positive spine position to execute the lift.

Safety tip

Start with a weight you are comfortable with to get your form perfect. If you have poor spine and hip mobility, you will not be able to get into a good lifting position. So work on these areas of movement before even considering doing this lift.

Meet our expert

Richard Tidmarsh is the owner and lead trainer of Reach Fitness London and trains international athletes such as UFC fighter Jimi Manuwa, as well as celebs such as Jessie Ware and Millie Mackintosh.