I've cut my shins deadlifting twice now.

[b fold the truth]

For the past 2 workouts (Back workout), I have cut my shin deadlifting as the bar grazed heavily off it as I went for one rep max lifts. Its not at all hygienic having a cut, running to get a band-aid, and then training on with a blood marked tracksuit.

What would you recommend I wear to allow me to avoid this? Would putting a bandage around my shin help?

I have scars on my shins, both, from 10 years of heavy deads. They bleed, I just let it run down my legs. Thats what black socks are for.

With light weight I won't hit my shins at all...but when I get a little crazy and start using heavy weights...I'll almost always notice some blood running down my legs when set the bar down.

 

[beerdrinker]

And there you have it. One school says if you hurt something lifting, you are obviously doing it wrong. The other says wear those bloody shins like a badge of honor.

I usually get a scrape at the top of my shins, but I don't bleed.

 

[Tagio]

olympic lifters set up with shins touching the bar or a hair away, and a mark rippetoe uses 'drag the bar up the legs' as a coaching cue to teach the deadlift. so contact with the shins is not necessarily a form error

 

[DaveTSI]

right, contact isnt an error, but blood and torn flesh is.

everyone is built differently and it may happen to some depending on upper/lower leg length, arm length and so on. But most of the time if this is happening to you your form could be better

 

[abolish the weak]

If it scrapes your shins then your doing them right. My guess is your going almost all back and not legs on the exercise, try going almost all legs until you get to the knees, it'll help keep the bar from digging into the shins so much

 

[b fold the truth]

excuse my typing, arthritis.

I set up the bar so that it touches my shins or close to it when I grab the bar. Long arms, 290 lbs, 6'2"...whatever levers that sets me up for.

 

[sonokrypton]

If you do not like to wrap shins and get annoyed with guards, use baby powder on your shins. It acts as a lube, rub it over shins with fore-arms not hands as you will loose grip. It will not stop the contact but will lessen the skin tear. God this sounds like it should be in a different forum. Lol. Good luck.

 

[tropo]

Shin guards - LMFAO!!!!!

AAP - I'll stop Deadlifting the day they put me in a box and send me 6 foot under!!!

I'll analyse the video next week. I think it could be a simple issue like foot positioning, but I'll keep everyone informed.

Now that's positive thinking.

Good luck!

I'll put money down you'll stop long before you die.

 

[tropo]

For the past 2 workouts (Back workout), I have cut my shin deadlifting as the bar grazed heavily off it as I went for one rep max lifts. Its not at all hygienic having a cut, running to get a band-aid, and then training on with a blood marked tracksuit.

What would you recommend I wear to allow me to avoid this? Would putting a bandage around my shin help?

What bar are you using? There's a lot of cheap bars around with nasty, sharp knurling. A good olympic bar usually has a smooth area around about where your shins are positioned in the deadlift.

Another good solution is the Hammer Strength (or other brands) deadlift machine. Easy parallel grip with no bar around the shins to worry about.

 

[riverrock]

Some outstanding replies above and I really appreciate it guys.

sonokrypton: The isea of using baby powder. I've never heard that one before, but it makes a lot of sence. however, I'll put it on in the car before I go into the g. Otherwise everyone in the changing room would think I was some kind of nutter!

tropo: The bar itself is your standard olympic bar, so no problems there.

b fold the truth: At least its not me. I've seem your pictures and you're a beast of a man! you must be doing something right!

I'll try and get the software to allow me to transfer the video from my phone to a PC and I'll post a link, but I cn't promise anything on this one as I need to find someone with the CD first as I can't find mine!