How I Started Deadlifting (And Why It’s the Best Lift for Farm Life)
The deadlift is half my brand for a reason. Here is how I started, the form cues that finally clicked, and a simple way to begin safely.
Every feed bag, water bucket, and bale I carry is a deadlift. So is picking up a Muscovy drake that does not want to go in for the night. Training the lift in the gym made the farm easier, and that is why it ended up in the name.
Why the deadlift
It trains your entire back side: hamstrings, glutes, back, and grip. It is the most direct way to get stronger at picking things up off the ground, which is most of what physical life is. It also gives you a number you can watch go up, and that does more for consistency than any motivation video.
The cues that finally clicked for me
- Bar over midfoot. Stand so the bar is over the middle of your foot, about an inch from your shins.
- Hinge, don’t squat. Push your hips back until your hands reach the bar. Shins mostly vertical.
- Pull the slack out. Before the bar moves, tense against it until you hear it click against the plates. Then push the floor away.
- Chest up, lats tight. Think about protecting your armpits. It keeps the bar close and your back honest.
- Lock out with your glutes, not by leaning back.
Start lighter than your ego wants
I started with the bar and a couple of small plates, and I am glad I did. Sets of five, three to four sets, adding a little weight each week while the form holds. When form breaks, the weight was too much, not you.
A simple first month
| Day | Focus |
|---|---|
| Monday | Deadlift 3×5, rows, planks |
| Wednesday | Squat 3×5, press, carries |
| Friday | Deadlift 3×3 (a bit heavier), lunges, pull-downs |
Three days, under an hour each, and it survives farm emergencies because missing a day does not wreck the week.
What changed off the platform
Carrying two feed bags at once. Hauling the kiddie pool full of water without thinking about it. Sleeping better. Strength is the least glamorous and most practical thing I have added to farm life.
This is my personal experience, not coaching or medical advice. If you have injuries or health conditions, talk to a professional before starting a program.
Training updates are on TikTok and Facebook, and the weekly log lives in the newsletter.
Hi, I’m Taylor. Two ducklings named Menace and Giblets turned into a two-acre flock in New Port Richey, Florida. I share the farm, the rescues that keep showing up, and my deadlift training.