Advanced Deadlifters

[DonkeyKong]

Do advanced deadlifters or the record holders in the deadlift generally use a reg.stance or Sumo stance?Ive been getting up there(close to 600@190lbs b.w.) but Im going sumo and was wondering If I should switch to regular style to prevent tearing a hamstring or something as someone at my gym suggested to me that sumo style is for beginners and some people dont even consider sumo style deads as a legitamate lift.Is this all bullshit he told me.I dont want to screw up my technique.I dont compete in pl comp. but one day I might so wanted to be sure if I can use a sumo stance.

[Freddy]

Originally Posted by DonkeyKong

Do advanced deadlifters or the record holders in the deadlift generally use a reg.stance or Sumo stance?Ive been getting up there(close to 600@190lbs b.w.) but Im going sumo and was wondering If I should switch to regular style to prevent tearing a hamstring or something as someone at my gym suggested to me that sumo style is for beginners and some people dont even consider sumo style deads as a legitamate lift.Is this all bullshit he told me.I dont want to screw up my technique.I dont compete in pl comp. but one day I might so wanted to be sure if I can use a sumo stance.

He's full of stinky, smelly, corn shit. AnimalMass trains with one of the best teen/junior deadlifters in the world right now, and he uses both in competition. In fact, all of his 800+ deadlifts have been done with a sumo stance.

Now, its true that the very best of the best, all the current 900+ pullers, use a conventional stance...Garry Frank, Bolton, etc.

BUT...Ed Coan, one of the best deadlifters, pound for pound or otherwise loved to pull sumo. He deadlifted 900+ at 220 pounds of bodyweight, so I'm guessing he knew something about deadlifting.

As far as it being more injury prone, thats total bullshit as well. Its true that both lifts rely on different kinds of strengths, but there is NO correlation between that and injuries.

Sure, Ed Coan had to switch from sumo deadlifting to conventional because of an injury, but just as many people have been hurt from a conventional deadlift stance.

Sounds like the guy you talked to just sucks donkey balls at sumo pulling and likes to put others down.

EDIT: Oh, and I almost forgot...there isn't a SINGLE powerlifting federation that won't allow a sumo stance! You can use it in ANY federation you decide to compete in, PERIOD...they ALL allow it. Tell him he's a retard.

[AnimalMass]

Yep - all true...except, that my teammate has pulled 800+ both styles. He pulled his first 800 conventional, belt only. Then he pulled 830 sumo at his last meet.

Matt