It seems like the “prime mover” muscle in a dead lift is the lower back.
Everything else in a deadlift appears to be stationary, or “isometric contraction” at most (I think). Please tell me if im wrong!
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Hello!
Former power lifter competitor, and current world record deadlift holder (for my age group and weight class).
Also am a ACE certified national personal trainer.
First off, I think it’s important to note that there are different types of deadlifting, but between conventional and sumo, deadlifts use %85 of muscles in your body when done correctly.
As already noted above, hips and knees drive the movement, and the load is shared throughout %85 the body (at different times throughout the movement). ~%45 of this should be your core, as it should be engaged the entire lift (many people don’t realize this)!
The part of deadlifts being a compound leg exercise is predominantly the moment between picking up the bar from the ground, and performing the hip hinge. This exercises the hamstrings and quads immensely.
Isometric contractions moreso consist of squeezing your muscle area to “activate”/warm up your muscle in an area. Ex. Weak glutes when squatting —> isometrics for glutes before squatting.
Happy lifting!
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