Question for Experienced Deadlifters

[The Dude]

For those of you with years of deadlifting behind you, I have a question about regular deads. I've been doing them for years without problems of any kind. However, when the weight goes up, my form suffers when compared to the ideal. When lifting the weight off the floor, my hips rise without raising the weight off the floor very much at all. Have any of you noticed the same thing as the amount of weight you're using goes up?

 

[stray dogg]

yes i have noticed this........however when i lower the weight i can go slower and make it more of a workout.....

never sacrafice form *too much*

 

[BodybuildingUniverse]

If you pull sumo style you will get less back lift out of it and more leg. Whichever you choose keep that back flat and push like hell with the legs out of the hole. Keep those hips down...

 

[edgecrusher]

Which deadlift style, do you use?

 

[Hannibal]

When deadlifting in a conventional style it is very important to keep your shoulders behind the bar. Setting up with the bar touching your shins will increase the distance you have to move the bar. The bar should be out in front of you when you pull. You should be pulling the bar back to you. And in the same since pulling it in a straight line...the shortest distance between two points. Keep your hips down, and your core tight.

 

[shaft]

what are the benefits of each style? traditional and sumo?

 

[Valdez]

Similar to squats you want to keep a tight arch in your back and get the momentem moving from leg strength, and squeeze your ass together. Keep your eyes looking straight ahead.

 

[The Dude]

Thanks for the advice dudes.

 

[needsize]

Sumo style decreases the distance you have to pull the bar, hence more weight, I like regular style as it increases the range of motion and I do them more as a bodybuilder, ie, for increased muscle size.
I used to let my hips rise first as I started to lift the bar, concentrate on driving down with you hips as you lift, otherwise it will turn into a stiff legged deadlift, and you're probably pulling too much weight to do it safely. First time I went for a max, 495lbs, i did that and ended up stiff legging it, lucky I wasn't wearing my spine on the outside afterwards.

 

[BigCarp]

Lately, I have been doing high rack deadlifts (bar starts just under the knees). I do these because I work legs the day before back. My legs are usually to sore to help out with the normal deadlift which was causing me to use bad form. With high racks you are using almost all back with very little legs. I have made much better gains in my back since I switched to this.

Carp out................

 

[b fold the truth]

Sumo means that you don't have to pull as far? What? Either sumo or conventional...doesn't the bar sit at the same height from the ground...and you have to pull till your legs and back are fully extended and back? Hmmmmm..... The difference is between the leg or the back use...not the distance.

I do understand what you mean by this, but it is worded incorrectly. Kinda like saying that muscle weighs more than fat...a pound of both weigh the exact same

B True

 

[Imnotdutch]

If the distance that you have to move the bar (ie: height of bar from floor when at rest to height of bar from floor when locked out) is decreased, you also decrease the amount of work that has to be done.

Typically the distance you move the bar when you lift sumo is less.......so in principle you do less work. Of course that doesnt account for different muscles being used to different extents in the two styles. So I dont think this is as simple an issue as looking at the amount of work done!!!

Sumo means that you don't have to pull as far? What? Either sumo or conventional...doesn't the bar sit at the same height from the ground...and you have to pull till your legs and back are fully extended and back? Hmmmmm..... The difference is between the leg or the back use...not the distance.

I do understand what you mean by this, but it is worded incorrectly. Kinda like saying that muscle weighs more than fat...a pound of both weigh the exact same

B True

 

[b fold the truth]

Not to get into an arguement here...but what is the difference...a millimeter? And that distance is at the top of the movt...not the bottom. You should be able to pull the same conventional and you can sumo...if you can not...then you have a weak muscle group somewhere (Louie Simmons). The difference between sumo and conventional is the muscles used, not a large difference in distance.

B True

 

[needsize]

With some guys there is quite a difference in distance as they place their feet really far apart when lifting sumo style, some guys swear by it, I just find it really ackward

 

[b fold the truth]

Still...what is the difference...1" maybe 2"...at the top?

B True

 

[needsize]

powerlifters are a strange bunch but that 1-2" means a lot to them, coming from a bodybuilding perspective, I would rather increase the range of motion if I could, that's why for a time I used to do them off a 5" box, so I was reaching all the way to my feet to grab the bar. Hard as hell but did wonders for my sticking point.

 

[b fold the truth]

I see my point is not going to be taken very well...so I will digress to the initial question.

"For those of you with years of deadlifting behind you, I have a question about regular deads. I've been doing them for years without problems of any kind. However, when the weight goes up, my form suffers when compared to the ideal. When lifting the weight off the floor, my hips rise without raising the weight off the floor very much at all. Have any of you noticed the same thing as the amount of weight you're using goes up?"

As weight increases and you give maximal effort, your form should break down some. Besides...you are giving it all you have...right? I have the same problem as you do with my butt and hips rising before the bar. Work on three things: hips/glutes, hams, lower back. Train all types of good mornings, glute ham raises, rev hypers, and watch your deads improve.

B True