deadlifting sumo or conventional

[wic2111]

I deadlift with a conventional style. I am pulling mid 500's right now. I recently was talking to a friend of mine who told me that when he switch to sumo it was like he open a can of whoop ass strength. He went from high 500s to around 700 in after few monthes of changing styles. I am worried that if it ain't broke don't fix it. What do you guys think? Also I might be a retard but what do people mean when they say your need to drive with your legs when benching. I just don't understand.

 

[Freddy]

I deadlift with a conventional style. I am pulling mid 500's right now. I recently was talking to a friend of mine who told me that when he switch to sumo it was like he open a can of whoop ass strength. He went from high 500s to around 700 in after few monthes of changing styles. I am worried that if it ain't broke don't fix it. What do you guys think? Also I might be a retard but what do people mean when they say your need to drive with your legs when benching. I just don't understand.

Deadlift styles are highly individualistic...experiment with both and see what you prefer. If you're fat, or have a stronger legs compared to a relatively weak back, or both, you'll do well with sumo. You might add 200# in a few months, or you might find yourself much worse at sumo.

Leg drive is pushing your feet into the floor as if you were trying to slide a rug towards the wall. Do NOT push down into the floor totally, as this will raise your butt off the bench. This engages a neural mechanism called "hyperirradiation" which makes you a lot stronger.

 

[Chip Bronson]

i've tried sumo deads several times over the years and, for some reason, i've always experienced pain in the area where the leg joins the hip, you know that crease. any reason for this? freddy? thanks in advance.

 

[Freddy]

i've tried sumo deads several times over the years and, for some reason, i've always experienced pain in the area where the leg joins the hip, you know that crease. any reason for this? freddy? thanks in advance.

Sumos are rough on the the hip muscles...period. We have a very strong sumo deadlifter in our gym, and he has a lot of nagging hip problems. He needs to use Inzer 'Power Pants' to protect his hips. He doesn't get any more performance out of them, his raw deadlift is just as high. But he honestly needs them to protect his hips. However, he has to use sumo because of a bad back, and because it makes him A LOT more competitive in meets. At a bodyweight of about 165 pounds he can deadlift in the 600-700 range in competition (I've personally seen mid 600s). Thats very good.

That pain you describe is fairly common. I get it to some extent when I experiment with sumo. In fact I'll be pulling sumo today, we'll see what happens. I'll be wearing a pair of Inzer single ply briefs, but they won't stave off the pain that much.

You really need good hip flexibility to sumo pain-free. Some people can do it just fine. If it gets too much, I wouldn't do it. Honestly, I don't know why a bodybuilder would want to pull sumo, unless they have a problem that makes it so they can't pull conventionally.

That being said, if you can handle it pain free...sumo deadlifters usually yank some pretty insane poundages in competitions.

 

[Chip Bronson]

thanks freddy. i like to try different lifts just to see the varying results they may produce. i thought, perhaps i was just using bad form or something. good to know this is common and, seeing how my back is ok, i think i'll stick to conventional deads.

 

[wic2111]

Deadlift styles are highly individualistic...experiment with both and see what you prefer. If you're fat, or have a stronger legs compared to a relatively weak back, or both, you'll do well with sumo. You might add 200# in a few months, or you might find yourself much worse at sumo.

Leg drive is pushing your feet into the floor as if you were trying to slide a rug towards the wall. Do NOT push down into the floor totally, as this will raise your butt off the bench. This engages a neural mechanism called "hyperirradiation" which makes you a lot stronger.

Thanks Freddy

 

[Freddy]

Thanks Freddy

How tall are you? How big is your gut? How strong is your back? How strong are your legs? Do you have long arms? Short arms? Long legs? Short legs?

 

[Phreezer]

I'm 6'2", I have a big gut... I have a strong Back and strong legs... I have long arms and short legs... I pull sumo!

 

[Freddy]

I'm 6'2", I have a big gut... I have a strong Back and strong legs... I have long arms and short legs... I pull sumo!

And I bet you're damn good at it!

Thats the definition of a sumo puller. Don't let it misslead you, though, Wic...our 700 pound sumo puller is like 5'6" and 165...though he does have short legs.

Sometimes its more individual than that. Its really hard to "prescribe" proper deadlift form to people. I've talked to JS about this a lot. The deadlift is MUCH more individualistic than the squat or bench press. You just have to put someone over the bar and see how they fair.

 

[wic2111]

well i am 6 ft, average gut, long arms, i guess i have medium leg length

 

[wic2111]

I almost got tossed from my gym today for using my own chalk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Apparently they banned all use of chalk in my gym. No signs, no notice nothing. My gym is turning fitness center, damn it.

 

[Freddy]

You might be built for sumos...did you get to try them tonight?

I wouldn't train at a place that didn't allow chalk...I use it every workout.

 

[Crazedlifter]

WOW, I just learned how to sumo and my poundage skyrocketed. Freakin awesome.
Good thread guys.

 

[wic2111]

man i am so temped