Can the average man deadlift 500lb? Yes. Will they? No.
What's the female version of that?
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Can the average man deadlift 500lb? Yes. Will they? No.
What's the female version of that?
Starting Strength Indianapolis is up and running. Sign up for a free 30-minute coaching session.
I answer all my emails: ALewis@StartingStrengthGyms.com
Let's assume that your average untrained man can deadlift 100lb at 5'9" weighing 165lbs. If he wants to deadlift 500lbs, he will have to improve his deadlift by 400lbs. Hope that math isn't hard. Since few people have ever achieved a 5x bodyweight deadlift, lets assume an average man (i.e. not an elite lifter) would have to gain 1lb for every 5lbs you add to the deadlift. This would mean that he would have to gain 80lbs and your 5'9" average male weighing 165lbs will now be a 5'9" beast of a man weighing a solid 245lbs.
For many people a 2.5x deadlift is pretty achievable which would mean that maybe he would only have to be 200lbs. But you're right that he probably won't achieve it at 165lbs as that would be a 3x deadlift which is out of range for those who aren't genetic outliers.
Rather than speculate, however, what this average man should do is follow the program and eat as instructed. As long as he isn't gaining more than one pound for each five pounds he adds to the deadlift, he doesn't have to get himself all wrapped up in his underwear.
During the first COVID year, with a bit of consistency and focus I went from a 295 max deadlift to a double at 455 as my N=1 average man at 51 years old, 5'10", 204lbs. This was without a coach, eating "sort-of" for lifting performance and with a full time remote job to add some stress. While I have yet to reach my goal of a 500# single due to life getting in the way as it always does, I can honestly validate that when I put the required level of effort in, 500 will be achievable and likely a bit more even being well past those prime years. Had I focused on strength when I was younger, 500 would not have been the question; it would have been 600 or more. In addition, while I have participated in various athletics, I am by no means one of the genetically gifted lifters.
455lb starting in your fifties is solid. Well done. I'm sure you'll pull 500lb if you keep at it.
You'll be much more successful at a bodyweight of 230lb, I promise you.
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