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**AllAlone** · 06-18-2010, 07:16 AM

I've taken quite a good bit of time away from deadlifting but am wanting to start up again. I was always a sumo style lifter but I peaked at 605. I'm not sure I have the frame for a narrow stance but am willing to try anything. Any advantages to a narrow stance?

**BgMc31** · 06-18-2010, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by AllAlone

I've taken quite a good bit of time away from deadlifting but am wanting to start up again. I was always a sumo style lifter but I peaked at 605. I'm not sure I have the frame for a narrow stance but am willing to try anything. Any advantages to a narrow stance?

I often wondered the same thing. But it seems that all the huge pullers (800+) all pull conventional. The best I pulled sumo is ***. I've pulled 750 conventional. I think pulling conventional incorporates more muscle groups than sumo. Sumo is primarily glutes and hamstrings. Conventional incorporates more quads, glutes, hams, low and upper back. But in my experience, conventional definitely taxes my CNS much more than sumo.

Check out strongman Mark Felix's deadlift technique. He's a 900+ puller but he takes a very wide stance but keeps his grip outside his legs. It's ugly but very effective for him. Check out WSM (and probably the strongest man on the planet Zydrunas Savickas), he also incorporates a similar style but not nearly as wide as Felix's.

**AllAlone** · 06-18-2010, 12:48 PM

My problem was always (not to sound gay) but I'm all legs...HA!! I have a shorter upper body and it makes it hard to get past my knees with a conventional lift...If I can get more out of a conventional stance, I'll switch. PLus you have to move the weight farther. But since I'm pretty much starting over couldn't hurt to try. Thanks.

**shortybrolick** · 06-18-2010, 01:13 PM

I've seen the same thing as BgMC .. Mostly the guys with the rediculous pulls are using conventional.. Why tho??

**BgMc31** · 06-18-2010, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by shortybrolick

I've seen the same thing as BgMC .. Mostly the guys with the rediculous pulls are using conventional.. Why tho??

I believe it's because conventional incorporates more muscle groups. Sumo is great for tall guys with long arms because it reduces the ROM. But at the same time, it doesn't incorporate the quads as much as conventional. It also doesn't incorporate the lats and upper back muscles as well as conventional deads do. I'm working on pulling 800+ conventional. I'm close but since switching to conventional (strongman doesn't allow sumo), I find that I can't deadlift quite as often because of the taxing of my CNS that conventional incorporates.

**AllAlone** · 06-21-2010, 06:43 AM

I'll have to give it a shot...I've only tried conventional once or twice and it was mad uncomfortable but now that I can start from scratch maybe it wont be so bad. Plus it could help with my squats as well. Thanks guys.

**ironaddict69** · 06-21-2010, 01:42 PM

Sumo never worked for me. Most I can pull sumo is like 450 and conventional I do 550 for a max, which is big for me because I am only 21, however I also want to be able to pull 7 one day!

**audis4** · 06-21-2010, 04:22 PM

Seems as though wide stance would tear an inner thigh muscle...never felt right for me.

I pulled 725 at my last meet (raw) conventional and should be 800+ here in august