Exercise Library
Clean Deadlift On Riser
AKA Deficit clean deadlift
AKA Deficit clean deadlift
The clean deadlift on riser is simply a clean deadlift performed while standing on an elevated platform.
Set the clean starting position tightly—it should be the same as from the floor, but with more knee and hip flexion. In other words, the same position but deeper—don’t simply hinge more at the hips.
Push with the legs through the whole foot against the floor similarly to a squat. Maintain even balance over the whole foot and actively keep the bar as close to the legs as possible, and maintain approximately the same back angle until the bar is past the knees. Once at lower to mid-thigh, open the hips as you finish extending the legs into a standing position.
Return the bar to the floor under minimal control, maintaining your grip and basic position and posture. Generally the focus is the concentric motion, so the eccentric portion is not emphasized.
Notes
Riser heights do not need to be and should not be very high—3 inches is generally as high as you ever need to go. Too high, and it’s impossible to establish proper back extension in the starting position, which largely defeats the purpose.
Purpose
The clean deadlift on riser strengthens the pull of the clean and emphasizes strength in the initial pull from the floor and the ability to maintain proper posture with heavy weights.
Programming
Generally the clean deadlift on riser should be done for 2-6 reps per set anywhere from 80%-110% of the lifter’s best clean depending on the lifter and how it fits into the program. Newer lifters whose cleans are significantly limited by technique will likely need to pull much heavier percentages to adequately train strength in the pull. Loading will be typically somewhat limited relative to a normal clean deadlift, although by how much varies considerably among athletes. In any case, the weight should not exceed what the lifter can do with proper positioning.
As a heavy strength exercise, it should be placed toward the end of a workout. Typically pulling exercises are performed before squats, but this order can be reversed for lifters who need to emphasize squat strength over pulling strength.
Variations
The clean deadlift on riser can be with slow eccentrics (3-6 seconds typically), with one or more pauses on the way up, from various hang or block heights, with slow concentrics to emphasize control over posture and balance, with a static or dynamic start, with or without straps, and many other possibilities.
Set the clean starting position tightly—it should be the same as from the floor, but with more knee and hip flexion. In other words, the same position but deeper—don’t simply hinge more at the hips.
Push with the legs through the whole foot against the floor similarly to a squat. Maintain even balance over the whole foot and actively keep the bar as close to the legs as possible, and maintain approximately the same back angle until the bar is past the knees. Once at lower to mid-thigh, open the hips as you finish extending the legs into a standing position.
Return the bar to the floor under minimal control, maintaining your grip and basic position and posture. Generally the focus is the concentric motion, so the eccentric portion is not emphasized.
Notes
Riser heights do not need to be and should not be very high—3 inches is generally as high as you ever need to go. Too high, and it’s impossible to establish proper back extension in the starting position, which largely defeats the purpose.
Purpose
The clean deadlift on riser strengthens the pull of the clean and emphasizes strength in the initial pull from the floor and the ability to maintain proper posture with heavy weights.
Programming
Generally the clean deadlift on riser should be done for 2-6 reps per set anywhere from 80%-110% of the lifter’s best clean depending on the lifter and how it fits into the program. Newer lifters whose cleans are significantly limited by technique will likely need to pull much heavier percentages to adequately train strength in the pull. Loading will be typically somewhat limited relative to a normal clean deadlift, although by how much varies considerably among athletes. In any case, the weight should not exceed what the lifter can do with proper positioning.
As a heavy strength exercise, it should be placed toward the end of a workout. Typically pulling exercises are performed before squats, but this order can be reversed for lifters who need to emphasize squat strength over pulling strength.
Variations
The clean deadlift on riser can be with slow eccentrics (3-6 seconds typically), with one or more pauses on the way up, from various hang or block heights, with slow concentrics to emphasize control over posture and balance, with a static or dynamic start, with or without straps, and many other possibilities.
