Deadlift Plateau

[Duck]

G'day Rip

I'm a CrossFitter trying to get to a 2 x BW Deadlift (170kgs). I'm stuck at 152.5kgs. Although I can rack pull 170 for 5 without too much trouble, I struggle with halting dead's (130 for 5). Feels like my back is about to blow out. I have had facet joint sprains in the past. Not much fun!

I'm guessing it's a core strength issue. I also back squat 145kgs (very close to my max dead!) & B/W is 85kgs (which I'm sure you guessed from the 2 x B/W figure!! )

Firstly, would you say my lack of core strength guess is right?

Secondly, how do I best correct that? More dead's, more squats, stick a heavy weight overhead and stabilize like a mther fcker, add assistance movements like pull throughs, RDL's, weighted back ext's, weighted sit up's etc. All of the above!

Oh, and drink more milk of course!

Thanks for taking the time and effort to answer all our dumb arse questions.

[Mark Rippetoe]

It's usually a form issue. It may be a bodyweight issue, because you didn't include your height at 185, but it's usually form.