Novice: Deadlift on separate day

[Nico Garcia]

Hi Rip, I am considering putting deadlift on a day of its own due to previous injury. Would that be OK or advisable?

I’m 45 and 6’2” in my 8th week of my LP.

BW 80 to 92 kg
S 75 to 123.75 kg
P 40 to 56.75 kg
B 60 to 83.75 kg
D 85 to 135 kg

So, deadlift is low but I’m pretty careful with it due to previous C4-C5 herniations and cervical radiculopathy. I’m building back slowly and carefully and I’m now stronger than ever on deadlift.

I’ve started to consider putting deadlift on a 4th day of its own since I want to be fresh and really focus on my form on that lift and be really careful about not hurting myself again. Is this OK? Also, I’ve had to remove power cleans bc they started tweaking my neck when I got up to around 70 kg. I’ll be doing RDLs instead of cleans on that day.

I have been alternating Deadlift/Power Cleans and Pull-ups/Back Ext and I’ve also incorporated a light squat day as recommended in the advanced novice progression.

So would doing only my heavy deadlift on a separate day each week be OK?

[Mark Rippetoe]

Fine with me. In your situation it might work better.

[Nico Garcia]

Alright, thanks Rip.