Car Deadlift

How to do the Car Deadlift

1. This event apparatus typically has neutral grip handles, however some have a straight bar that you can approach like a normal deadlift. The apparatus can be loaded with a vehicle or other heavy objects such as tractor tires or kegs.
2. Center yourself between the handles if you are a strong squatter, or back a couple inches if you are a strong deadlifter. You feet should be about hip width apart. Bend at the hip to grip the handles. With your feet and your grip set, take a big breath and then lower your hips and flex the knees.
3. Look forward with your head, keep your chest up and your back arched, and begin driving through the heels to move the weight upward. As the weight comes up, pull your shoulder blades together as you drive your hips forward.
4. Lower the weight by bending at the hips and guiding it to the floor.

Muscles worked

Role	Muscles
Primary	quads
Secondary	forearms, glutes, hamstrings, lower back, traps
Equipment	other equipment
Difficulty	intermediate
Type	compound

No other equipment? Train the same muscles with these

Ordered by how likely you are to own the 6 options.

Mountain Climbers Bodyweight Clean Pull Barbell Hang Clean Barbell Hang Clean - Below the Knees Barbell Power Snatch from Blocks Barbell Snatch from Blocks Barbell

Easier than the Car Deadlift

Same movement pattern, lower entry difficulty — work up from here.

Sandbag Load beginner · Other Equipment Backward Drag beginner · Other Equipment Cable Deadlifts beginner · Cable Machine

Harder than the Car Deadlift

One-Arm Side Deadlift expert · Barbell Snatch from Blocks expert · Barbell

Common questions

What muscles does the Car Deadlift work?

The Car Deadlift primarily works the quads, with the forearms, glutes, hamstrings, lower back, and traps as secondary movers. Rickshaw Deadlift, Sandbag Load, and Tire Flip train the same muscle, across 9 equipment types.

What equipment do you need for the Car Deadlift?

The Right Equipment. Without the right equipment, Mountain Climbers, Clean Pull, and Hang Clean train the same muscle, and 27 of the catalogue's options for this muscle need no equipment.

Is the Car Deadlift suitable for beginners?

It is rated intermediate. Start with Sandbag Load, Backward Drag, and Cable Deadlifts and work up.

Where should the Car Deadlift go in a workout?

Early — the Car Deadlift is compound, working 6 muscle groups, so run it first or second while you are fresh.

Similar exercises

Rickshaw Deadlift Other Equipment Sandbag Load Other Equipment Tire Flip Other Equipment Backward Drag Other Equipment Clean Pull Barbell Hang Clean Barbell