Deadlift weight

[DJinTraining06]

I am new to deadlifts and im not sure how much weight to use. Should i do trial and error? Cuz even then i wouldn't know how heavy to go, should it exhaust the crap outta me like squats do? or r u not supposed to overdo it on deadlifts. My lower back has been sensitive in the past, i have tweaked it doin simple household things in the past in my teens and early 20's so im afraid to go to hard on them.

I am 5'6'', 155 lbs.
Been working out since July i'm up to:

Bench - 125
Incline bench - 85
squats - 165
curls - 25
skull crushers - 50
Shoulder press - 100

Anybody have a guess how much the avg deadlift to begin with would be for a guy of my size and strength? ballpark figure?

 

[donjuanjovi]

Just keep adding weight until you start to really feel the strain. If you keep proper form through the lift, than your back shouldn't be an issue. Start out light until you get your form down than start putting on the pounds.

 

[mrRuckus]

Add weight until you can do 5 or more reps and still keep proper form.

Deadlifts aren't an exercise you do to failure.