Biceps curls and the bench press are exercises that people think of when they're interested in strength training, but there are several other activities that you should add to your workout routine. One popular exercise is the deadlift, which involves lifting a weight off the floor by holding it as you stand up. Deadlifts are a valuable way to build strength in your back, legs, and core. While it can take a little practice to perfect the deadlift mechanics, you'll soon feel stronger through dedication to this exercise. There are several different options for doing deadlifts, including the following.

Barbell

Deadlifts with a barbell are arguably the most common version of this strength training exercise. When you join a busy gym, you can expect to see members performing deadlifts with barbells virtually all the time. If you want to work on this exercise with a barbell, you'll generally want to use a longer bar so that you can adopt the right body mechanics; whereas a shorter bar can work well for biceps curls and certain other exercises, the wide grip that many people employ while performing deadlifts is best with a longer bar.

Trap Bar

Another type of weight that you can use for deadlifts is a trap bar. Most gyms have this piece of equipment, which typically has a hexagonal or octagonal shape and space for weight plates at each end. A trap bar is unique because you step into the center of the hexagon or octagon and then lift the bar while you stand in place. Some strength training enthusiasts favor using trap bars for deadlifts because they can perform this exercise without creating as much strain on their lower backs.

Resistance Bands

Most gyms have a large selection of resistance bands that their members can use. While these bands can be useful for stretching your body in all sorts of different ways, they can also strengthen your muscles through several different exercises. It's common to use one or more resistance bands to perform deadlifts. To perform this exercise, you'll hold the band under your feet so that it remains stationary, and then use the standard deadlift body mechanics while you hold onto the two ends of the band. A thin band provides a light weight that is ideal for beginners, and you can begin to increase the thickness of the band — and thus the resistance — over time.

Contact a company like Chris Cohen Fitness to learn more.