Banded deadlifts.
One of .newman.71 least favourite variations but he still attacks them with the same level of intent and gets the work done.
These are a great tool to carry over to competition deadlifts as they overload the top half of the lift - where you’re mechanically strongest.
As the bar leaves the floor, tension is lighter. The higher you pull, the more the bands stretch and increase in resistance.
This teaches you to:
• Accelerate through the entire lift (no slowing past the knees)
• Improve lockout strength
• Produce force harder and faster
• Stay tight and finish aggressively
For powerlifting, this can produce better bar speed off the floor and more confidence when locking out heavy attempts.
Accommodating resistance = force production that matches your strength curve.
SDH Coaching
Share
Strength and Powerlifting Coach based at Oragyms, Shepley, Huddersfield
23/02/2026
Do you film your lifts? 🎥
Your videos aren’t just for social media - they’re feedback, and one of many useful tools we can use to guide progression.
Bar path.
Bar speed.
Body position.
Sticking points.
How the weight actually moved on the days it feels heavy.
What feels slow isn’t always slow.
What feels strong isn’t always efficient.
The more information your coach has, the better the adjustments that can be made.
Better cues. Smarter programming. Faster progress.
Film it. Review it. Improve it. 💪
23/01/2026
Ryan's hard work is really paying off, with week-on-week improvements after his return to the gym following surgery. We've made some key adjustments to his technique and he's showing great progression as we work torwards his 2nd Powerlifting Competition.
Stop wearing your belt too tight.
A painfully tight belt won’t fix a s**t brace.
When you brace, you need to to be able to expand your torso, pushing out into the belt to create 360° of intra-abdominal pressure.
The belt is an external cue to reinforce a strong brace, not a substitute for one.
Slapping on a belt doesn’t magically protect your back.
Learn to brace, then use the belt to make it even stronger.
Stop sitting into your deadlift..... it’s not a squat!!
When you drop your hips too low, your centre of mass shifts forward. The moment you start to pull, your hips shoot up, you lose your position, and all that load transfers straight into your lower back.
Try this instead:
Start with the bar over your mid-foot and lined up with your armpit. This keeps the weight centred where you’re strongest.
Take the slack out of the bar. Use that tension to pull yourself into the bar and create a strong wedge. This brings your hips closer to the bar, rather than squatting down and starting too low.
Then push the floor away. Think of the first phase like a leg press, drive with your legs and stand tall, finishing by locking out your quads and glutes.
Nail this setup and your deadlift will feel stronger, safer, and far more efficient.
04/12/2025
Flat Soles or Raised Heels?
Both have their place, but your footwear and massively change the dynamic of your lifts.
choose the shoe that lets you keep the best positions, stay stable, and move the most weight efficiently with the cleanest technique.
That time I almost unalived myself 👀
Always check the pins people, this could have been so much worse.
24/09/2025
Why do lifters use Smelling Salts?
Ammonia smelling salts dont magically add strength, they help triggera sharp adrenaline response just before you lift.
The strong fumes irritate your nasal passages, causing your body to release adrenaline and heighten alertness. That spike helps you zone in, sharpen focus, and put maximum intent into a lift when you need it.
They’re a tool, not a crutch.
Best saved for top sets, PB-s, or competition attempts where that extra surge of intensity makes the difference.
Are you team ??
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
Location
Contact the business
Telephone
Website
Address
Oragyms Ltd, Holmfirth Road
Huddersfield
HD88BB