deadlifts - proper form?

[NuclearNed]

I'm talking about plain vanilla bent knee deadlifts with an Olympic bar, feet shoulder width apart (or even closer)

Do you grip the bar inside your knees, or outside?

The reason I ask is that until yesterday I always gripped the bar outside my knees, and I was never able to lift as much as I thought I should have been able to. Yesterday I gripped inside my knees and I was able to lift substantially more, and I felt like I kept my form better (read: my back didn't flex at all).

 

[crt1530]

That's called a sumo deadlift. Some people (depending on biomechanics) can lift more with a sumo deadlift than they can with a conventional deadlift. Conventional is much more effective when it comes to strengthening your back.

 

[purbeast0]

oh how i wish i never hurt my back

deadifts were my favorite exercise.

 

[wheresmybacon]

Barbell Deadlift (not straight leg)

That's a great site for questions on technique/form.

 

[GenHoth]

The reason you are able to lift more is because the mechanical angle is better. But you get more muscle activation from a normal deadlift. For competition, use sumo, otherwise stick to your usual

 

[jiggahertz]

From the OP it doesn't sound like he's doing sumos as his legs are shoulder width apart or closer.

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: jiggahertz
From the OP it doesn't sound like he's doing sumos as his legs are shoulder width apart or closer.

I'm not doing sumos. I've done wide stance sumos before. My feet are no wider apart than my shoulders; the only difference is I put my hands close together inside my knees instead of out. So it's kind of like a sumo deadlift but without the wide stance.

 

[Spamela]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed

Originally posted by: jiggahertz
From the OP it doesn't sound like he's doing sumos as his legs are shoulder width apart or closer.

I'm not doing sumos. I've done wide stance sumos before. My feet are no wider apart than my shoulders; the only difference is I put my hands close together inside my knees instead of out. So it's kind of like a sumo deadlift but without the wide stance.

so it's a narrow stance sumo.

 

[Koing]

Can't say I've seen many if anyone do this.

Koing

 

[Spamela]

Originally posted by: Koing
Can't say I've seen many if anyone do this.

Koing

i've seen a few people pull big iron this way, but
probably 90% of the freaks use conventional.

 

[EvilYoda]

I did my deads at the end of my routine today...man does that feel different. I haven't worked legs in probably 3 weeks, so I took it light...I really need to work on my legs. Did 4 sets of 6 @ 185 and I almost broke form by the end. How will I ever increase my crossfit total!? lol.