Deadlift Form - Rounding Upper Back

[bml64]

As I have begun to use heavier weights for me when deadlifting, I feel that I am rounding my upper back to complete the reps. Is this because I am failing to keep my chest up? Or is it because I am looking too much down and not enough forward? Or perhaps I am just not strong enough for the weights? Or is there something else I need to do to improve my form? I would appreciate any advice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XpwqpsHfKw

Thank you for your time.
Bruce

[Mark Rippetoe]

You are failing to keep your chest up, and you have been allowed to establish this problem because of a lack of attention to your technique. Back off, strengthen your upper back, and go up from there.

[celconicuzn]

Unless your name is Konstantinovs..

[Mark Rippetoe]

...who deadlifts ~950 as opposed to 290.

[MEbigUsmall]

How is it that he can do that with out injuring his back.

[Mark Rippetoe]

He is very strong. I thought I pointed that out.

[tnumrych]

I would also assume that Konstantinov priorities (heavier loads on the bar/breaking records/wrestling bears), as most athletes at such elite levels, take precedence over complete and utter safety considerations. Elite athletics are almost intrinsically unsafe activities that will eventually result in some sort of injury for most. For the vast majority of us, this will never be a realistic concern.

Rip, regarding Konstantinov's DLs, I've been thinking, is it reasonable that his technique allows him to lift more weight by shortening the distance the bar has to travel? Just a thought.

[Mark Rippetoe]

That, and by shortening the moment arm between the hip and the bar.

[PVC]

regarding Konstantinov's DLs, I've been thinking, is it reasonable that his technique allows him to lift more weight by shortening the distance the bar has to travel? Just a thought.

It doesn't shorten the total distance the bar has to travel. He's still got to be fully erect at the top of the movement.

[mlentzner]

I bet he doesn't round his back when he's doing his work sets.

You've got to know how to do it right before you can do it wrong on purpose.

Matt