[appplication]

I know many skilled weightlifter who eventually fucked their backs doing deadlifts. I know even more unskilled folks who tried to learn, didn’t quite do them right and got the same outcome.

Deadlifts are great if you always do every rep perfectly. But it can be quite easy to let your guard down, or get distracted, or just not really realize your technique is a little off until you hit weights where irreversible damage happens. I think the game theory on deadlifts for the average joe is unequivocally “don’t do them”, especially because side there are so many other alternative and less risky exercises to build similar strength. You’re gonna be fine until the one time you’re not. The rest of those exercises are more than enough.

[KA01]

I understand. Compared to a common movement like a squat, the average joe rarely performs a hip hinge. If they do, it's likely with poor form. I've personally trained beginners. Most know how to squat but struggle with the hip hinge. The hip hinge needs more attention to learn than, say, the chest press.

There are risks for injury throughout the entire fitness spectrum- from being sedentary to powerlifting. Not exercising has its own set of risks. On the other end, your risks increase when you lift too much weight, move too quickly, push through fatigue, or disregard technique. That goes for any exercise. You can reduce risks by learning from an experienced weightlifter and/or hiring a personal trainer.

I've never heard advice for the average person to avoid deadlifts. The therapy and fitness industry advises the opposite- they should learn how to perform hip hinges. The stimulus placed by deadlifts, RDLs, or any front-loaded hip hinge is unique. Weight distributed anteriorly to the body puts a load on the spine. This exposes weaknesses in spinal stability, but it's also a great solution to improve it. The challenge is figuring out the readiness of the person prior to and during a program. Do they have adequate hip and shoulder mobility to maintain a neutral spine throughout the hinge? Can they maintain this spinal stability when progressing to heavier loads or higher volumes?

I agree there are higher risks of injury for deadlifts compared to squats or lunges. However, I would not remove them entirely from a training program because of their unique stimuli.