Deadlift affected by weight loss

[Autopart111]

I have been cutting for the last 5 weeks. I have noticed that my dead lift is the most affected lift with this cut. Is one lift more affected than another when cutting weight? It seems every pound I drop same weight drops off the bar.


thanks

[Mark Rippetoe]

Deadlifts and squats are affected most, but all the lifts will suffer. When is your physique contest?

[deadredhead]

Weight loss means the body does not have the caloric excess needed for muscle gain.

PPST pg. 147:

"Sports performance, general fitness, and improved appearance all depend, first, on the acquisition of basic strength. It is the foundation for all other physical improvement, and it must be the trainee's first concern."

Quote is self explanatory...
Do you want to get stronger? Or lose weight? One will most likely come at the cost of the other if you're not a newbie. I posted something a while back with similar concerns, and after responses and further research, I eventually faced the truth--if I wanted to get as strong as possible, it would be at the cost of what I'm apparently supposed to look like (or get as skinny as possible at the cost of strength).

[Autopart111]

I'm not skinny by any means. Right now I'm at 235 have been as high as 258 in the past. At 6'0 feet tall I don't think thats skinny. My deadlift was better at 258 than now but my squat numbers haven't gone down like the deadlift. I just wan't to get to 215 220 cut some fat off this body, (don't want to scare the women and childern at the pool).

[Andy Baker (KSC)]

I am currently in the process of cutting weight to fit in a weight class that is more appropriate for my height...going from the 242 div. to 220 div. I started my diet at about 246 and am now at 223. So I've lost about 23 lbs. Here is how it has affected my strength:

Squat - 500 to 485
Bench (paused) - 385 to 380
Deadlift - 525 to ?? (pulled 515 fairly easy last week)
Press - 245 to 240

No cardio involved in weight loss, just alot of caloric restriction. No starch, no sugar, and not alot of fat either. Mostly just lean protein, fruit, and veggies. We threw some oatmeal in a couple of times when weight was falling too fast or I needed a little energy for a heavy day.

I cut the weight really quickly...about a month. Maybe cutting a little slower would not have affected my strength as much, but I am extremely impatient and was ready to get the diet over with.

My meet is May 23 and after I carb up on Friday night/Saturday morning I expect to be closer to 230 when i hit the platform. At that point, I might be able to close the strength gap a little bit.

This is just FYI for anyone wanting an example of how weight loss might affect strength.

[Baker]

for me, squats are almost always affected...the bigger my belly, the bigger my squat. however, the deadlift seems to get better with a smaller belly; it's easier for me to get to the bar. of course this is just for me. going out on a limb here but andy bolton seems to have no problems with his belly on his deadlifts. on the other hand, didn't john kuc's deadlift improve once he lost weight? i'm not sure though.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Let us know how the meet goes. I will be back from Denver Monday night late, so it will be Tuesday before I can post it.