I learned to deadlift twice my body weight in 8-weeks

“Strength training for beginners can be daunting, to say the least—especially when terms like ‘deadlift’ are thrown around and you’re not entirely sure what they mean.

That’s how WH junior digital writer Ally Head (@allyyhead) felt when she took up strength training with a boutique London gym. Keep reading to hear how her eight weeks of strength training panned out.

This year I hit a running rut. I’d trained all winter to run the London Marathon in spring, however I came across the line 11 minutes slower than I’d been hoping for. In the weeks after I felt pretty downbeat and had zero desire to lace up my Nikes to do more miles to keep fit. It’s why I looked for a new challenge to rebuild my confidence and strength.

I’ve never felt compelled to enter the weights room before but inspired by strong Instagrams from PTs Joslyn Thompson Rule (@joslynthompsonrule) and Laura Hoggins (@laurabiceps), along with Dinah Asher Smith crediting her speed to strength training, I decided it was time to learn how to lift.

My personal goal? Learn how to deadlift at least my own body weight under the expert eye of Embody Training (@embodyfitnessuk).

Strength Training & Deadlifts: The Plan

I’ll start by explaining ‘why the deadlift’?. Quite frankly, I chose this Olympic lift as it scared me the most, and what better way to conquer your fear than tackle it head on??

But before beginning my new workout plan I needed to get to grips with what the exercise involved – basically deadlifts 101.

What is a deadlift?

From the get go, I was pretty clueless—put me in a start pen and I’m ready to go but in a weights room and I’m out of my comfort zone.

But Leigh Clayton (@imleighclayton), personal trainer at Embody, explained things pretty clearly. Simply put, a deadlift is a full body exercise that involves lifting and lowering of a bar, normally with a weight on each end, and recruits nearly every muscle in the body.

How? Well, as you have to stabilise your upper body, lats and your posterior chain to actually perform a deadlift, you’re guaranteed a full body workout.”

To read the entire article, visit Women’s Health Mag!