How high should rack pulls be?
James Olson
Updated on March 07, 2026
Then, where should rack pulls be?
The lower back muscles are the primary target of rack pulls, but the movement also works your upper back, glutes and hamstrings, and you'll also increase your grip strength.
Subsequently, question is, are rack pulls as good as deadlifts? Rack pulls and deadlifts are similar exercises with a key difference; the deadlift provides a full range of motion while the rack pull offers only a partial range of motion. Rack pulls can help improve weaknesses when performing deadlifts. Deadlifts are great for building overall strength and power.
Likewise, people ask, what's the point of rack pulls?
Many people use rack pulls to increase the strength of their lower back, hamstrings, and glutes. It also improves overall strength as it challenges muscle groups all over the entire body. Professional weightlifters and powerlifters often perform rack pulls to improve pulling strength.
Are rack pulls bad for lower back?
The deadlift hits your lower back pretty significantly, and rack pulls isolate the part of that lift that is probably the most stressful for your lower back. So it makes sense for you to feel it in your lower back. If you just want to hit your glutes, do hip thrusts.
Related Question Answers
Should rack pulls be above or below knee?
Starting above the knee is probably the most common rack pull form, this height will put the most emphasis on your back muscles. On the other hand, rack pulls below knee recruit the glutes, quads, and hamstrings more than the higher variations.Why are rack pulls bad?
By performing heavy rack pulls you'll be gripping far more weight than if you were performing a conventional deadlift. Skip the straps and gloves on your next set of rack pulls, build grip strength doing so then take that over to your deadlifts – you'll soon find your grip to no longer be the weak link.Are rack pulls dangerous?
Rack pulls are safe as long as you do not go too heavy. As it is an exercise which makes it very tempting to go very heavy very fast, I personally would not consider it safe compared to other exercises.Can you do rack pulls on a Smith machine?
If you want to thicken your traps to Yates-like proportions, then you need to perform rack pulls during your back workouts on the Smith machine. Similarly, Smith machine rack pulls are useful if you simply don't feel the free weight version in your traps.Do rack pulls build traps?
The rack pull is one of the most simple yet effective movements for crushing the entire upper back and traps. The combination of tension and stretch make it highly effective for inducing muscle growth in the trapezius and upper back muscles.Should rack pulls be heavier than deadlift?
The average rack pull entered by men on Strength Level is heavier than the average deadlift. The bodyweight of men entering rack pull lifts on Strength Level is on average heavier than those entering deadlift lifts.Do block pulls help deadlift?
Block pulls are used for developing deadlift strength in the top-end range of motion. Typically if you struggle with the lock-out portion of the movement, your glutes and low/mid back are the weaker muscle groups. The block pull will target these muscles more specifically.Are rack pulls good for hypertrophy?
Rack Pulls for General FitnessRack pulls can be used to increase muscle hypertrophy, basic pulling strength, and as a teaching progression for the deadlift.
What is Romanian dead lift?
The Romanian deadlift (RDL) is a traditional barbell lift used to develop the strength of the posterior chain muscles, including the erector spinae, gluteus maximus, hamstrings and adductors. When done correctly, the RDL is an effective exercise that helps strengthen both the core and the lower body with one move.What is a block pull deadlift?
A block pull is simply an elevated deadlift, with heights from 1-6 inches in height.Do deadlifts work the lats?
The deadlift is often considered an exercise that targets your hamstrings, glutes, lower back and core muscles, but it is also great for hitting your forearms, traps, rhomboids and lat muscles.What are hack squats?
The Hack Squat is a popular exercise used by many weightlifters for lower-body development. It is performed on a sled that allows you to Squat on a 45-degree angle. The three main muscle groups it primarily trains are the quadriceps, hamstrings and glutes. This machine is a staple in most fitness facilities.What muscles do deadlifts work?
“Incorporating deadlifts one or two days a week into a weight training session will develop strength in the hamstrings, glutes, low back, and upper back.” They also rely on core strength to stabilize your body throughout the lift, which means you'll be working your abs on top of everything else.What is a good substitute for deadlifts?
10 Deadlift Alternatives to Consider- Glute bridge.
- Barbell hip thrust.
- Lying hamstring curl with band.
- Trap bar deadlift.
- Single-leg Romanian deadlift.
- Back hyperextension.
- Cable pull through.
- Bulgarian split squat.
Do deadlifts build back thickness?
Deadlifts. Deadlifts work a number of different muscles, including the back, lower back and legs, and they're highly effective in creating a strong, thick physique.Can I get big just doing deadlifts?
Yes, many will argue that the squat is the King of Exercises, and will contribute to more strength and size gains than any other exercise. In fact, the deadlift is the most effective exercise for building the core strength that supports all other major muscle groups.Are rack pulls necessary?
Rack pulls for all intents in purposes is essential the cousin of deadlifting. It requires much of the same motion and can be great for building up the back. One group thinks that it's a great replacement for deadlifts while the other, you guessed it, believes that there is no replacing the deadlift for back gains.How long does lower back pain last from deadlifts?
The Healing ProcessRegardless of whether your lower back pain is the result of a strain or a sprain, the only true cure is time. An initial 48- to 72-hour period of intense pain will usually give way to discomfort that gradually diminishes over the following week or two; I know this first hand.
Do rack pulls work shoulders?
Trapezius MusclesRack pulls are a hugely effective exercise when it comes to the development of this muscle group. This is all down to the heavy amount of weight which you are able to lift with the move. In turn, this helps to overload the upper back and trap muscles.