Barbell Reeves Deadlift

Master the Barbell Reeves Deadlift to intensely target your upper back, traps, and forearms.

AdvancedHips Barbell

Movement: Compound
Force: Pull
Per set: 1 min
Rest: 2 min

Get Ellim — Free

Free · iPhone only · Available on the App Store

Variations of Barbell Reeves Deadlift

Compound

Barbell Deadlift from Deficit

Hips · Barbell

Advanced

Compound

Barbell Deadlift against Chains

Hips · Barbell

Advanced

Compound

Barbell Deadlift from Blocks

Hips · Barbell

Advanced

Compound

Barbell Zercher Deadlift

Hips · Barbell

Advanced

Description

A variation of the traditional deadlift that targets the upper back, traps, and forearms. It increases grip strength and improves pulling strength.

Save Barbell Reeves Deadlift to a routine

Log sets, reps, and weight as you train — free in the Ellim app.

Get Ellim — Free

How to do Barbell Reeves Deadlift

01
Setup
Load a barbell and position yourself with your feet hip-width apart, shins close to the bar, and toes pointing slightly outward.
02
Setup
Hinge at your hips and bend your knees to reach down and grasp the barbell plates directly, outside of the knurling, with an overhand grip. Your hands should be significantly wider than shoulder-width, outside your knees.
03
Engage your core, flatten your back, and initiate the lift by driving through your heels, pulling the bar upward by extending your hips and knees simultaneously.
04
Keep the barbell close to your body as you stand tall, squeezing your glutes at the top without hyperextending your lower back.
05
Control the descent by hinging at your hips first, then bending your knees, allowing the bar to lower slowly back to the floor while maintaining a neutral spine.

Tips

Focus on maintaining a neutral spine throughout the entire lift by bracing your core tightly, preventing any rounding of the lower back.
Initiate the pull by driving your feet into the floor as if pushing the ground away, rather than simply pulling the bar up with your arms.
Keep your chest up and shoulders pulled back and down, which helps engage the upper back and traps more effectively and maintains good posture.
Use chalk to enhance your grip on the plates, as the wider and thicker grip is significantly more challenging than a standard barbell grip.

Common mistakes

Rounding the upper or lower back during the lift compromises spinal integrity; maintain a rigid, neutral spine by bracing your core and keeping your chest up.
Allowing the hips to shoot up too quickly at the start turns the deadlift into a stiff-legged deadlift, placing excessive strain on the lower back; ensure your hips and shoulders rise simultaneously.
Not keeping the bar close to the body increases leverage and makes the lift harder and less safe; actively pull the bar into your shins and thighs throughout the entire movement.

In the Ellim app, Barbell Reeves Deadlift unlocks

Free — no subscription needed

Log sets, reps, and weight
Track every set as you train
See your strength curve
Performance graphs across all sessions
Add to a routine
Save into a custom workout in one tap
Rest timer with Live Activity
Dynamic Island countdown between sets
HealthKit sync
Workouts flow to Apple Health
3,500+ exercise library
Search, filter, and pick variations offline

Ready to train barbell reeves deadlift?

Get Ellim — Free

Questions

Is Barbell Reeves Deadlift good for beginners?

Barbell Reeves Deadlift is rated advanced. Beginners can still attempt it with lighter weight and careful form, but it's best to master easier variations first.

What equipment do I need for Barbell Reeves Deadlift?

You need Barbell to perform Barbell Reeves Deadlift. If you don't have this equipment, look for variations that target the same muscles with what you have available.

What are the best tips for Barbell Reeves Deadlift?

Focus on maintaining a neutral spine throughout the entire lift by bracing your core tightly, preventing any rounding of the lower back. Initiate the pull by driving your feet into the floor as if pushing the ground away, rather than simply pulling the bar up with your arms. Keep your chest up and shoulders pulled back and down, which helps engage the upper back and traps more effectively and maintains good posture. Use chalk to enhance your grip on the plates, as the wider and thicker grip is significantly more challenging than a standard barbell grip.

What are common mistakes when doing Barbell Reeves Deadlift?

Rounding the upper or lower back during the lift compromises spinal integrity; maintain a rigid, neutral spine by bracing your core and keeping your chest up. Allowing the hips to shoot up too quickly at the start turns the deadlift into a stiff-legged deadlift, placing excessive strain on the lower back; ensure your hips and shoulders rise simultaneously. Not keeping the bar close to the body increases leverage and makes the lift harder and less safe; actively pull the bar into your shins and thighs throughout the entire movement.