Jason Speakman

7 min read

LITTLE CHANGES CAN yield big results. If you’re working to set new strength standards and push through weight room plateaus , movements like the deficit deadlift stand as testament to that sentiment. The exercise is identical to the traditional barbell deadlift , with one key distinction: You stand on a slightly elevated surface—we're talking just a couple of inches—as you pull the weight off the floor.

There's a good chance you haven't tried this variation before. It's more popular among strength athletes, like powerlifters and strongmen, who toil over every minute detail of their deadlift technique to gain a competitive edge. But just because you haven't done it doesn't mean you shouldn't. Whether you're looking to shake up your routine or address a specific weakness in your deadlift, this simple adjustment is worth trying.…