In this episode of Barbell Shrugged, Doug Larson, Travis Mash (powerlifting world champion), and Dr. Michael Lane break down how to deadlift across the entire lifespan, from kids learning to hinge to lifters in their 40s, 50s, and beyond chasing strength without paying for it later. They start with youth training principles that actually work: keep it simple, keep it safe, and keep it fun. Kettlebell deadlifts and goblet squats win early because they naturally put kids in solid positions with minimal coaching, while the real focus is learning a neutral spine, good mechanics, and building a positive relationship with training.
Next, the conversation moves into the teen and peak-performance years, when athletes can build serious capacity and eventually push heavier weights. The guys lay out practical programming that prioritizes technique and volume tolerance over ego lifting, including linear periodization, conservative maxing through heavy triples, and velocity-based thresholds to keep athletes away from breakdown reps. They also dig into why deadlifting is not one-size-fits-all. Anthropometrics drive stance choices and sticking points, and the best assistance work depends on what is actually limiting you, whether that is front squats for getting the bar moving, RDL variations and bands for lockout strength, or staples like glute-ham raises and reverse hypers for posterior chain durability.
Finally, they tackle the strength versus functional training debate and bring it back to real-world outcomes. Strength training builds the engine, sport practice is the most functional skill work, and instability training has a place but is not where max force gets built. From there, they map out how deadlifting evolves with age: more attention to stimulus-to-fatigue ratio, smarter variations like blocks, deficits, and trap bars with high handles, more respect for recovery, and more intentional periodization. The throughline is simple. Deadlifting can stay in your life forever, but the version of deadlifting you choose should match your body, goals, and season, not your pride.
Links:
Doug Larson on InstagramCoach Travis Mash on Instagram
