Barbell Jefferson Deadlift

The Barbell Jefferson Deadlift is a unique variation of the deadlift that targets multiple muscle groups, including the hamstrings, glutes, and lower back.

  1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, with the barbell positioned between your legs.
  2. Squat down and grip the barbell with one hand in front and the other behind your legs.
  3. Engage your core and lift the barbell by extending your hips and knees simultaneously.
  4. Stand upright, keeping your back straight and shoulders back.
  5. Lower the barbell back to the ground with control.

How to perform the Barbell Jefferson Deadlift

  1. Set up. Set up in a stable, balanced starting position appropriate for the Barbell Jefferson Deadlift using your barbell.
  2. Brace and execute. Brace your core, control the descent, and move through a full pain-free range of motion while emphasizing your hamstrings.
  3. Reset. Reverse the movement under control and reset between repetitions, keeping your form crisp on every rep.

Coaching cues

  • Move with intent — every rep should feel deliberate, not rushed.
  • Drive force through your hamstrings rather than momentum.
  • Keep your breathing steady: exhale on the hard part, inhale on the reset.

Common mistakes

  • Using too much weight and losing positional control.
  • Cutting the range of motion short and missing the target muscle.
  • Letting your spine round or hyperextend instead of staying neutral.

Detailed cues, common mistakes, and demonstration video are available in the Fitly app.

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