A deadlift should be simple – it’s basically just picking a weight up off the floor. However, it’s actually one of the most technical lifts. Given that it’s a compound exercise, you have to think about controlling every muscle in your body to get the barbell off the ground.

First and foremost, you should be working your posterior chain. That’s the back of the body, such as the hamstrings, glutes, lower back, lats and back of the shoulders. The reason these muscles are the primary drivers in a deadlift is because it is a hinge movement, which means you drive through your hips.