Dead lift jack if you are at a home gym
Dead Wedge The Deadlift Jack Alternative for Your Gym Bag - Raises Loaded Barbell & Plates for Effortless Loading/Unloading. Perfect for Powerlifting, Weightlifting, Crossfit, Home Gym & Deadlifts. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TVVBD6O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_g17qDb8RR4FRD
These might work
The technique you described has always worked great. There are now also cheap, gymbag-portable devices like the Dead Wedge that are super easy as well.
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NOTE: Not affiliated in any way with this product. I just own one and use it in my home gym.
My top four most used accessories less than $200:
Prime small (1.7-2.25") KAZ handles. I use these almost every day with a DIY dual pulley system. They are incredibly well made and feel amazing in the hand. Impressed with the engineering and quality of this product, will likely order the RO-T8 standard handles and landmine attachment at some point in the near future...
Dead Wedge: I know some people don't like these, but I have zero issues with these. Incredibly simple and cheap ($14). I keep them on my center-piece of my deadlift platform and simply roll underneath my first 45# plates for progressive overloading.
How to use a deadlift jack: put jack under bar, lift up bar with jack, install plates, put bar down, remove jack.
How to do the same without a deadlift jack: put a single plate on the bar, then put a small plate on the floor next to it, and roll the single plate onto the small plate. Now the end of the bar is elevated so you can easily put the rest of your plates on there.
If you have a home gym, something like https://smile.amazon.com/Dead-Wedge-Deadlift-Jack-Alternative/dp/B00TVVBD6O is nice to have. It's basically a rubber version of putting a small plate under the first plate. Works a little better because it's rubber and indented so the plate stays put, but you don't really need it.
The Dead Wedge - Deadlift Jack Alternative for Your Gym Bag - Raises loaded barbell & plates for effortless Loading/Unloading. Perfect for Powerlifting, Weightlifting, Crossfit, Home Gym & Deadlifts. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TVVBD6O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_DBHVBbM6MXPFP
Get a cheap deadlift wedge like this one I use and don’t worry about it. However I’ve loaded 400+ on it as you describe without it tipping but it did lean and it’ll also shake if I’m doing weighted pull-ups without any weight on the back side.
No problem! One of the best life pro tips I got from the Internet haha. I also know someone who owns one of these http://www.amazon.com/The-Dead-Wedge-Powerlifting-Weightlifting/dp/B00TVVBD6O and it's supposed to be pretty awesome if you want another option. They both accomplish the same thing.
Ask your gym to invest in a deadlift wedge.
$10 to make deadlift loading and unloading way, way easier.
maybe a dead wedge would be a good candidate.
Buy a dead wedge. You can find it on Amazon. It helps tremendously for set up and breakdown. One of my best purchases.
Edit: link. https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Wedge-Alternative-Powerlifting-Weightlifting/dp/B00TVVBD6O
These are an amazingly affordable alternative that some people might be interested in. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TVVBD6O/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They only came in one size when I ordered them way back 🤷🏻♀️
Why do you need the big deadlift jack? Can you get by with this? https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Wedge-Deadlift-Jack-Alternative/dp/B00TVVBD6O/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=deadlift+wedge&qid=1600294317&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzT0IzM09DQkVESERFJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTQ0Njk4MkFHTjVENVM3U041SSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMDM5Nzc5VVUwQ1ZLU09RNk9EJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
I use this, just roll the first plate already on the bar up on to the wedge and the rest slide right on. Bonus points for fitting easily in my gear bag.
I have one of these in my gym bag, best tenner I ever spent...
https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Wedge-Alternative-Powerlifting-Weightlifting/dp/B00TVVBD6O
A dead wedge fits in the gym bag, and is super helpful for load/deload.
Less than $9 on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Wedge-Alternative-Powerlifting-Weightlifting/dp/B00TVVBD6O
I use deadwedges