Reeves Deadlift Benefits And Why To Peform Them!
We mentioned in our last post on how to perform the deadlift. Now let us go into a couple of benefits of the reeves deadlift.
Much like the standard barbell deadlift, stiff leg, sumo and romanian deadlift. They all target the same areas while some focus on hamstrings more than others. However, the one thing they all have in common is the fact of no spotter or no momentum involved. Performing with no assistance from the ground allows greater muscle recruitment and better muscle growth and strength. So what are the benefits of the reeves deadlift?
Reeves Deadlift Benefits - Grip Strength
Yes, other deadlift variations do offer grip strength, but the fact of gripping the end of the plates just adds more difficulty to an already difficult exercise. Unlike the other variations, you cannot wrap your thumb around the bar much like you could with the standard barbell or sumo deadlift for that matter. The reeves deadlift taxes your grip with such little weight. Don't agree? Grab two 10 pound dumbbell plates and hold them together in one hand. If your grip is weak, you will notice them starting to slip from your hands. Want to really tax them? Use heavier plates! However, you get the general idea! This is by far the best benefit you get from reeves deadlifts.
Benefit From Reeves Deadlift? How About Building Strong Trap Muscles?
This exercise along with the other deadlift variations target the upper back; however, the reeves deadlift benefits more the trap muscles along where the scapula lies. This area also houses your rotator cuff muscles which allow you to rotate your shoulder. Having bad rotator cuff muscles limits your full range of motion and has side effects due to it. By building them up, you can alleviate the tension on them, allowing you to increase your range of motion further.
This is probably why the reeves deadlift is also referred to as the Scapular deadlift. The cool part about the reeves deadlift is that you can turn them into a shrug to target the traps even further to really benefit from the reeves deadlift.
With the reeves deadlift, using light weights is a must due to the awkward positioning and mechanics. However, once you get the movement down, the many benefits you will get far outweighs the awkwardness.
Want to know some workouts incorporating the reeves deadlift? Click here..
Much like the standard barbell deadlift, stiff leg, sumo and romanian deadlift. They all target the same areas while some focus on hamstrings more than others. However, the one thing they all have in common is the fact of no spotter or no momentum involved. Performing with no assistance from the ground allows greater muscle recruitment and better muscle growth and strength. So what are the benefits of the reeves deadlift?
Reeves Deadlift Benefits - Grip Strength
Yes, other deadlift variations do offer grip strength, but the fact of gripping the end of the plates just adds more difficulty to an already difficult exercise. Unlike the other variations, you cannot wrap your thumb around the bar much like you could with the standard barbell or sumo deadlift for that matter. The reeves deadlift taxes your grip with such little weight. Don't agree? Grab two 10 pound dumbbell plates and hold them together in one hand. If your grip is weak, you will notice them starting to slip from your hands. Want to really tax them? Use heavier plates! However, you get the general idea! This is by far the best benefit you get from reeves deadlifts.
Benefit From Reeves Deadlift? How About Building Strong Trap Muscles?
This exercise along with the other deadlift variations target the upper back; however, the reeves deadlift benefits more the trap muscles along where the scapula lies. This area also houses your rotator cuff muscles which allow you to rotate your shoulder. Having bad rotator cuff muscles limits your full range of motion and has side effects due to it. By building them up, you can alleviate the tension on them, allowing you to increase your range of motion further.
This is probably why the reeves deadlift is also referred to as the Scapular deadlift. The cool part about the reeves deadlift is that you can turn them into a shrug to target the traps even further to really benefit from the reeves deadlift.
With the reeves deadlift, using light weights is a must due to the awkward positioning and mechanics. However, once you get the movement down, the many benefits you will get far outweighs the awkwardness.
Want to know some workouts incorporating the reeves deadlift? Click here..
Deadlift Like Steve Reeves!
Steve Reeves Deadlift
The Reeves deadlift was named after Steve Reeves who was famous for featured films such as Hercules, Goliath and various others back in the day. He is most notably recognized as Mr. America and Mr. Universe back in 1947 and 1950. Reeves experimented on various techniques and give his own spin on classic moves. One most commonly referred to as the Reeves deadlift which is a unique spin on the classic deadlift.
How To Perform The Reeves Deadlift
LOAD IT UP
Place a loaded barbell on the floor with the smooth sides of each plate facing inward.
MAKE ROOM
If you can use multiple 45s on each end, place a 10-pound plate between them to create space for your fingers.
TECHNIQUE
With your feet shoulder-width apart, bend at the hips, hold a plate in each hand, and perform a deadlift.
THE TWIST
To seriously nail your upper back and traps, perform a shrug at the top of the movement.
The reeves deadlift is not like your typical classic deadlift movement. On the other hand this targets the same muscle groups such as the hamstrings, glutes, lower back, upper back, quads and the upper arms. This deadlift cannot be taken to the max as using a 45 pound plate on each side offers some difficulty in holding on to the weight. This movement will tax your grip to the fullest and will help build up the strength when executing the classic deadlift when maxing out.
The Reeves deadlift was named after Steve Reeves who was famous for featured films such as Hercules, Goliath and various others back in the day. He is most notably recognized as Mr. America and Mr. Universe back in 1947 and 1950. Reeves experimented on various techniques and give his own spin on classic moves. One most commonly referred to as the Reeves deadlift which is a unique spin on the classic deadlift.
How To Perform The Reeves Deadlift
LOAD IT UP
Place a loaded barbell on the floor with the smooth sides of each plate facing inward.
MAKE ROOM
If you can use multiple 45s on each end, place a 10-pound plate between them to create space for your fingers.
TECHNIQUE
With your feet shoulder-width apart, bend at the hips, hold a plate in each hand, and perform a deadlift.
THE TWIST
To seriously nail your upper back and traps, perform a shrug at the top of the movement.
The reeves deadlift is not like your typical classic deadlift movement. On the other hand this targets the same muscle groups such as the hamstrings, glutes, lower back, upper back, quads and the upper arms. This deadlift cannot be taken to the max as using a 45 pound plate on each side offers some difficulty in holding on to the weight. This movement will tax your grip to the fullest and will help build up the strength when executing the classic deadlift when maxing out.