Deadlifting Safely

QUESTION What is your take on the deadlift? My trainer wants me to avoid it. ANSWER At heart, I’m a powerlifter and I love the feeling of holding a ton of weight in my hands. But I don’t do the traditional deadlift anymore. For me, pulling off the ground is just too risky. Instead, I do another favorite exercise: rack deadlifts. To perform rack deadlifts, set the safety bars in a power rack just below knee height. With your back straight, pull the weight until you’re in a stand