Rack Pull

A deadlift starting from pins at or just below the knee; the short range lets you handle more than a full pull.

Rack Pull, illustrated

How to do it

Setup

Bar on the rack pins at knee height, deadlift grip just outside the legs, back flat.

Steps

  1. Brace and pull the slack out of the bar.
  2. Stand tall, dragging the bar up the thighs.
  3. Lock out with the hips, then return to the pins under control.

Common mistakes

Leaning back at lockout: stand tall, no hyperextension. Bouncing off the pins: reset each rep from a dead stop. Bar drifting from the legs: keep contact.

Breathing

Big breath before the pull, exhale after lockout.