Any other Sumo deadlifters here?

[SP33Demon]

Traditional deadlifting isn't suitable to my build (shorter legs, huge torso/shoulders) so I've always done Sumo. Anyone else love doing Sumo?

 

[TallBill]

Hells yeah, I sumo squat and deadlift. Pulled 495 2 weeks ago which matches my all time PR. Should beat that tomorrow though.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I've always been under the impression that it's the guys with longer legs and shorter arms who benefit most from sumo. From what I've seen in the gym, shorter guys who have trouble with conventional deadlift typically have a lot of mobility issues as opposed to any anthropometric deficit.

 

[TallBill]

I've always been under the impression that it's the guys with longer legs and shorter arms who benefit most from sumo. From what I've seen in the gym, shorter guys who have trouble with conventional deadlift typically have a lot of mobility issues as opposed to any anthropometric deficit.

I'm 6'6" so everything is long. :awe:

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I'm 6'6" so everything is long. :awe:

Lmao, sophomoric but made me crack up with that stupid emoticon.

 

[SP33Demon]

I've always been under the impression that it's the guys with longer legs and shorter arms who benefit most from sumo. From what I've seen in the gym, shorter guys who have trouble with conventional deadlift typically have a lot of mobility issues as opposed to any anthropometric deficit.

Yeah oddly enough I did some measurements and I have a 40% ratio of arm/height so technically fall into the long arm category (38=cutoff). Torso is around 43% so technically a short torso (47=cutoff). For some reason Sumo is way more suited for me though, it's strange. Traditional deadlifts I'm always worried about unintentionally rounding the back and consequently hurting it since I do pretty heavy weight (was Sumo'ing 450lbs at a weight of 180). I go lighter nowadays b/c I heard knee surgery isn't fun. I keep my knees over my feet but still get some pain, probably due to scar tissue in the knee from sprinting in high school (varsity track). Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSM really cuts down on my knee pain though, so I pop some before my workout now and have noticeably less pain.

 

[SP33Demon]

Hells yeah, I sumo squat and deadlift. Pulled 495 2 weeks ago which matches my all time PR. Should beat that tomorrow though.

Impressive. How much do you weigh? I strained a hammy the other day doing sumo squat but it healed in 10 days. I've been taking it easy on the weight lately (only 225) til I'm back to full strength.

I haven't tried sumo squats, just do conventional since it hits my back heavier than sumo deads but I'll have to mix it in every now and then. Do you still do conventional squats at all?

 

[TallBill]

Impressive. How much do you weigh? I strained a hammy the other day doing sumo squat but it healed in 10 days. I've been taking it easy on the weight lately (only 225) til I'm back to full strength.

I haven't tried sumo squats, just do conventional since it hits my back heavier than sumo deads but I'll have to mix it in every now and then. Do you still do conventional squats at all?

Not really that impressive given my size, I'm 263 right now. No conventional squats or deads, both are incredibly uncomfortable.

 

[Zivic]

I'm 6'6" so everything is long. :awe:

6'6" is cheating.

 

[SP33Demon]

Not really that impressive given my size, I'm 263 right now. No conventional squats or deads, both are incredibly uncomfortable.

That makes sense since you're pretty tall. My buddy who is tall was having knee pain because he wasn't getting his knees over his ankles/feet. After spreading his legs wider with the knee out, it got rid of the knee pain but his toes are very close the plates so he has to be careful.

 

[Koing]

Not me.

Koing

 

[EvilYoda]

My body geometry is pretty "even" and traditional squats and dead lifts don't hurt but I do throw in sumo dead lifts just to change up the programming. Speed lifts at lighter weights, banded pulls, etc...I don't do them often enough to feel 100% comfortable using my usual weights.

 

[TheVrolok]

I've always been under the impression that it's the guys with longer legs and shorter arms who benefit most from sumo. From what I've seen in the gym, shorter guys who have trouble with conventional deadlift typically have a lot of mobility issues as opposed to any anthropometric deficit.

I'm 6'3" with long legs (iliac crest is probably 2/3 up my body) and pretty long arms, too. I can't stand sumo. I've always been a conventional guy. Back when I was in shape and pulled 525 I made some attempts at lighter weights sumo and just couldn't do it. Felt awful.

Now who knows, if I started light and routinely sumo'd maybe I could train myself and see better results with the technique .. but that's off the table now that I'm a lazy fat piece of shit.

 

[TallBill]

I'm 6'3" with long legs (iliac crest is probably 2/3 up my body) and pretty long arms, too. I can't stand sumo. I've always been a conventional guy. Back when I was in shape and pulled 525 I made some attempts at lighter weights sumo and just couldn't do it. Felt awful.

Now who knows, if I started light and routinely sumo'd maybe I could train myself and see better results with the technique .. but that's off the table now that I'm a lazy fat piece of shit.

Hahaha. It all comes back quick man. Just started seriously p'lifting again about 5 months ago and have already PR'd all 3 lifts.

 

[TheVrolok]

Hahaha. It all comes back quick man. Just started seriously p'lifting again about 5 months ago and have already PR'd all 3 lifts.

Yeah I've always been an up and down guy when it comes to working out/PLing. When life gets busy, I just don't have time for the gym. Whenever I get back in though, it doesn't take too long to shed the lbs and get my strength back. Hopefully I'm making a comeback this week, my work schedule has finally let up a bit.

 

[SP33Demon]

I'm 6'3" with long legs (iliac crest is probably 2/3 up my body) and pretty long arms, too. I can't stand sumo. I've always been a conventional guy. Back when I was in shape and pulled 525 I made some attempts at lighter weights sumo and just couldn't do it. Felt awful.

Now who knows, if I started light and routinely sumo'd maybe I could train myself and see better results with the technique .. but that's off the table now that I'm a lazy fat piece of shit.

Yeah you may want to go light on it. It's not for everyone though. A good method to test if it's ok for you:

Recently Dr. Michael Hales published in the Strength and Conditioning Journal defined the differences between a short and long torso, and short and long arms. By using a tape measure and the assistance of a lifting buddy, you can measure which deadlift style might be best for you.

•Step 1 – Measure the length of your torso starting at the greater trochanter to the top of your head. The greater trochanter is the bony protrusion at the top of your thigh. This measurement should be taken vertically, and not at an angle.
•Step 2 – Measure your arm length starting at the bony part located at the top of the shoulder, to the end of the tip of your middle finger. Make sure your arm is straight when taking this measurement.
•Step 3 – Measure your height. (Don’t guess)
Torso length. Divide your torso length (in inches) by your height in inches.

•Short torso – If this calculated ratio is less than 47%, you have a short torso.
•Long torso – If this calculated ratio is greater than 47%, you have a long torso.
Arm length. Divide your arm length (in inches) by your height in inches.

•Short arms – If this calculated ratio is less than 38%, you have short arms.
•Long arms – If this calculated ratio is greater than 38%, you have long arms.