Deadlift Weight Remover: What It Is, How to Use, and Benefits

How Do You Use a Deadlift Weight Remover?

A deadlift weight remover, commonly known as a deadlift jack, is a leverage-based tool designed to elevate a loaded barbell slightly off the floor, creating space to easily load or unload weight plates without rolling the bar or straining your back.

What is a Deadlift Weight Remover?

A deadlift weight remover, most typically a "deadlift jack," is an essential accessory for anyone regularly performing heavy deadlifts. It functions as a simple lever: one end hooks under the barbell, and the other end serves as a handle. By applying downward pressure on the handle, the jack lifts the barbell a few inches off the ground, effectively unweighting the plates and allowing them to slide on or off the bar collar with minimal effort. This ingenious tool transforms the often cumbersome and physically demanding task of changing heavy plates into a quick, effortless process.

Why Use a Deadlift Weight Remover?

The benefits of incorporating a deadlift weight remover into your training regimen are numerous, extending beyond mere convenience to include significant safety and efficiency advantages:

• Enhanced Efficiency: Quickly change plates between sets, for warm-ups, or for multiple lifters. This minimizes downtime and keeps your training session flowing smoothly.
• Reduced Strain and Injury Risk: Manually rolling a heavy barbell to load/unload plates can place undue stress on your lower back, especially when fatigued. A deadlift jack eliminates this strain, protecting your spine and hands from pinching.
• Improved Safety: Prevents the barbell from rolling unexpectedly, which can be a hazard in a busy gym environment or if plates are unevenly loaded.
• Preservation of Equipment: Reduces wear and tear on your weight plates and barbell sleeves by preventing them from grinding against the floor during manual loading/unloading.
• Greater Independence: Allows lifters to manage heavy loads independently without needing assistance to load or unload plates.

Types of Deadlift Weight Removers

While the principle remains the same, deadlift weight removers come in a few common forms:

• Full-Size Deadlift Jack: These are robust, standalone units, often resembling a small, inverted 'L' or 'J' shape. They offer excellent stability and leverage, making plate changes extremely easy, especially with very heavy loads. Ideal for dedicated home gyms or commercial facilities.
• Mini Deadlift Jack: A more compact and portable version of the full-size jack. While offering slightly less leverage, they are still highly effective for most lifters and are easier to transport or store.
• Plate Wedges/Block Jacks: These are simple, often rubber or plastic wedges that you slide under the outermost plate. They elevate the plate just enough to allow others to be added or removed. They offer the least leverage but are the most portable and cost-effective solution.

Step-by-Step Guide: Using a Deadlift Jack

This guide focuses on the most common and efficient type, the full-size or mini deadlift jack.

1. Position the Barbell: Ensure your barbell is loaded and resting on the floor, ideally centered within your lifting area.
2. Position the Deadlift Jack:
   • Place the "foot" or base of the deadlift jack directly under the barbell, typically just inside the first plate on one side.
   • Ensure the hook or cradle of the jack is securely under the barbell, ready to lift.
   • The handle of the jack should be pointing upwards and slightly away from the barbell.
3. Engage the Lever:
   • With a firm grip on the handle, press down smoothly and steadily towards the floor.
   • As you press down, the barbell will pivot upwards on the jack's fulcrum, lifting off the floor.
   • Continue pressing until the jack's mechanism locks into place, holding the barbell elevated. If it doesn't lock, hold the handle down while you change plates.
4. Load or Unload Plates:
   • With the barbell elevated, there will be a clear gap between the plates and the floor.
   • Carefully slide your desired weight plates onto or off the barbell sleeve.
   • Ensure plates are pushed fully on or removed cleanly.
5. Disengage the Lever and Lower the Bar:
   • Once you've finished adjusting plates on that side, gently release the pressure on the handle, allowing the barbell to lower slowly back to the floor.
   • If your jack has a locking mechanism, you might need to slightly lift the handle or press a release lever before lowering.
6. Repeat for the Other Side (if necessary): If you are using only one deadlift jack, you will need to repeat steps 2-5 for the opposite side of the barbell to ensure even loading/unloading. Some lifters prefer to load one side completely, then pivot the bar on the loaded side to lift the other.

Advanced Tips for Efficient Use

• Using Two Jacks: For maximum efficiency and stability, especially with very heavy loads, using two deadlift jacks simultaneously (one on each side of the bar) allows you to load/unload both sides at once.
• The Pivot Method (with one jack): If you only have one jack, lift one side of the bar, load/unload plates, then gently lower it. To do the other side, lift the bar with the jack just outside the last plate on the now-loaded side. As you lift, the bar will pivot on the plates already on the floor, raising the empty side.
• Pre-Setting Plates: If you know your next working sets, arrange the plates you'll need beforehand to minimize searching and maximize efficiency once the bar is elevated.

When Not to Use a Deadlift Weight Remover

While highly beneficial, a deadlift weight remover isn't always necessary:

• Very Light Weights: If you're only using a few light plates, the effort of setting up the jack might outweigh the benefit.
• Limited Space: In cramped lifting areas, a full-size jack might be cumbersome or create an obstruction.
• No Access: If a jack isn't available, manual methods or plate wedges are viable alternatives.

Safety Considerations

• Stable Placement: Always ensure the deadlift jack is placed securely under the barbell and is stable before applying pressure.
• Clear Area: Keep the area around the barbell and jack clear of obstructions or other people to prevent accidents.
• Controlled Movement: When lowering the bar, do so in a controlled manner to prevent it from slamming down or rolling.
• Handle Grip: Maintain a firm grip on the jack's handle throughout the process to prevent it from slipping or springing back.
• Intended Use: Deadlift jacks are designed for lifting barbells with plates. Do not attempt to lift people, other equipment, or use them for purposes they are not designed for.

Conclusion

A deadlift weight remover, particularly a deadlift jack, is an invaluable tool for any serious strength enthusiast or trainer. It transforms the often-challenging task of loading and unloading heavy deadlifts into a seamless, safe, and efficient process. By understanding its function, proper usage, and safety considerations, you can significantly enhance your deadlift training experience, allowing you to focus more on the lift itself and less on the logistical demands of managing heavy weight.