I live for deads...I could prolly pump out 35 with 225
I used to live for deads. If my back recovers well, I hope to get back into it like I used to.
I don't have your kind of muscle endurance or cardio conditioning to pull off 35 with 225. I think if I used straps, I could probably hit 20, maybe 25 and pass out. I have a hard time going above 5 reps, even with lighter weight. I normally hit 10 with 225 as a warm up, but everything after that, from 315 on to 405, it's 5 reps.
Damn Big, I didn't know you were so legit about deads, the hell. My favorite days, back in the day, would be deads, BB rows (up to 405, I had abnormal row strength), rack deads and BB shrugs (up to 455) and my traps and back would be thoroughly taxed. I can't even do BB rows anymore, I can't hold that position without seriously tweaking on my lower, right side and it was my second favorite exercise, next to deads. I can do one arms on the smith, but then I know I'll have to pay for it later (lumbar issue wise, injuries suck, chronic injuries tea bag after a 10 mile run).
I even bought one of those Hexagon Bars aka Trap Bars aka Dead Lifts Bars, until I realized that the hexagon bar actually does more to tax your quads and mimics the stress from doing squats and pretty does nothing for your posterior chain. That was a waste of $150.00. It's got other uses, but improving your deads is not one of them. They call it a dead lift bar, but they should really call it a squat bar, it's all quads on that thing and hardly any hams or back, some traps, but not nearly as effective as the resistance pulling from the front like a real DL.
I also bought a 4" sledge hammer to do wrist curls and 120lbs resistance hand clamps to improve my grip. I was all about it. I could pull 405 for 6, raw grip, no chalk either. I really got into it, so not being able to be about deads has sucked, which is why i think Oly lifts became the new hobby. I like being into something that gives me purpose to lift toward some primary, performance goal, as oppose to just aesthetics (these days). I only squat to improve my cleans, not for big legs and I only ever did squats before to improve my deads. Anyway, keep it up.
