Deadlift: Sumo Vs. Traditional

ksy1969

The title pretty much sums it up. What makes one better than the other.

I watch a lot of YouTube videos trying to perfect the form of my compound lifts. I am noticing a lot of people have switched to sumo dead lifts. I am primarily referencing Johnny Candito, but I see lots of others doing them in their training as well. So far I can't seem to find a reason why. Between Candito and Omar Isuf, they both say it is personal preference.

Is there something about sumo dead lift that makes them better than a traditional dead lift? Since they say personal preference, is the sumo dead lift just a new fad in the gym?

_benjammin

Check Omar' s video able leverages and how to calculate which may be better for your body. CONVENTIONAL OR SUMO DEADLIFTS: What is Best For …: http://youtu.be/pOcraX2jCWo

ksy1969

thanks. I will do that. I must have missed that one.

DopeItUp

Omar's video is a good resource. Some people just aren't built to conventional deadlift safely. It seems like taller people (female and male both) tend to prefer sumo, especially if you don't have long arms. I'm 6'3" and sumo was a lifesaver. I've added almost 100lbs to my deadlift in 8 months (mid 400s to mid 500s) by switching to sumo, and I have no lower back pain associated with it at the same time. Pretty remarkable change.

Sarauk2sf

It really is a personal preference and usually based on levers. Generally women do better with sump however the world record holder in my weight class in the IPF pulls conventional. As a rule of thumb I would recommend learning with conventional and then looking at whether to switch later down the line if someone is having issues with conventional. Many times however it's a form issue with conventionals that needs to be looked at first.