Working out of a custom-built gym, certified fitness trainer and running coach Erik Taylor develops personalized functional training programs.
The Dead Lift. It’s not a good name for an exercise. Think about it – any exercise that starts with the word “dead” just can’t be good for you…right?
Actually, wrong. Done properly, the dead lift is one of the best functional exercises you can do to help you navigate through life injury-free.
Scroll down to the video below to see Erik Taylor and I demonstrate the dead lift and read the Q&A to learn why the need for this exercise only increases as we age.
Erik, you call your approach to fitness “functional training.” Can you tell us a little bit about what that means?
Functional training is doing exercises that relate to everyday life. It’s not standing on a Bosu ball with one foot doing dumbbell bicep curls, because how often do you do that in real life?
People need the kind of training that helps them function in their daily lives so they can pick up their kids, unload groceries from their cars, or even sit at a desk all day without injury or pain.
What are the most effective functional exercises you’ve found?
I focus heavily on two important exercises: the squat and the dead lift. These exercises play a crucial role to the human body because they are second-to-none for building total body strength, which allows you to do everyday activities safely.
Do you recommend these exercises for both men and women?
Absolutely. The need for these exercises only increases we age because they help increase bone density, maintain muscle mass and release anabolic hormones, human growth hormone (HGH), insulin, and testosterone.
What are these hormones and why are they important?
These are the hormones that increase muscle mass, bone density and energy levels. As we age, muscle mass and bone density decreases, and less muscle means slower metabolism. Maintaining bone density is especially important for women.
Tell us about the dead lift – what is it and what does it do?
Dead lifts build back strength, and they do this better and more efficiently than any other exercise. Your back is part of your core – the stronger your core the better you’ll be in sports, hobbies, and life.
I always heard that abdominal crunches helped your back. Is that true or just another fitness urban legend?
Crunches won’t hurt your back, but they won’t do much to help it either. You get more bang for your buck by doing squats, dead lifts, planks, and joint mobility exercises.
What if you have a bad back? Can you still do dead lifts?
The dead lift is a complicated exercise and should only be done under supervision. Consult with your doctor and, when you get the go-ahead, find a trainer that can teach you proper form so you can fully benefit from this exercise .
Erik Taylor is certified Redondo Beach fitness and running trainer who conducts one-on-one and group training. He can be reached at www.eriktaylorsfitness.com, on Facebook or via email at [email protected]
Also, to learn more about functional fitness, be sure to check out books by the functional fitness pioneer, Dr. Jolie Bookspan. You can find links to her books on my Resources page.
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