When it comes to fitness, most people are a little bit overwhelmed at the sheer confusion surrounding certain exercises and their benefits. Learning how to deadlift should be a priority for anyone with serious ambitions inside the gym, such is the great power it holds.

However, it remains a very underestimated move which is often ignored or, even worse, people are advised not to perform it for fear of causing damage to their physique.

There is not a shred of evidence which states that you should not do this exercise or that it will cause physical damage.

We don't recommend attempting this move without first properly learning how to do it, of course. There are a few golden rules to teaching perfect form on this exercise. They are documented for you just below:

* Plant Your Feet.

* Be sure to only adopt a twenty degree bend in the knee, no further is necessary.

* Hinge your back forward slightly.

* Keep the back flat during this phase.

* With an overhand grip, take a shoulder-width hold of the bar.

* Drive up through your heels.

* As you begin to rise up, bring your hips forward to align your body in to one straight line.

* While at the top of the exercise, your chest should stand out and your shoulders should be pushed slightly back.

The eight steps above depict the perfect deadlift form. It is hugely beneficial to spend a little bit of time getting yourself familiar with these steps with just a barbell before trying to hit any big numbers. Good form always defeats heavy weights.

If you need any further advice on certain tips, now we'll look at the more complex sections in more detail for you.

The first of which is the bend in your knees. Many people mistakenly sit into this exercise in the same way they would for a barbell squat. It's not the same exercise, and doesn't require the same bend in the knee.

Another important aspect here is to ensure that your back does not arch. Further still, experiment with your grip until you find a variation which suits you. Many people choose a double overhand grip, but success can also be achieved with a double underhand or an opposing grip with each hand. Try them all.

Another key mistake which is often made is to push through the toes instead of the heels. This would cause you to fall off balance. Keeping your center of gravity over the heels is so important, we cannot stress it enough.

Now that you know how to deadlift with correct technique, you should take some time to practice these principles at home before you go to the gym. This removes confusion from the equation and ensures you can push yourself hard in your next training session. While it is true that learning how to lose weight or build muscle have become needlessly confusing affairs for most people, the age old principles like this still remain as important today as they were twenty five years ago.