Dropping DL for a while?

TR0berts
TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
edited November 2024 in Social Groups
My deadlift seems to be going backwards. I switched to sumo earlier this year, but I think I might end up going back to conventional - started out fine, but heavier weights just don't feel right.

Has anybody here had success just dropping (for a couple of months) a lift that they've been struggling with? I'm thinking of concentrating on squat (which has been going up quite nicely) and bench (which has been going OK) - maybe doing some other back work, but not DL. Maybe getting away from it and coming back light and fresh might do some good - thoughts?

Replies

  • ChiliPepperLifter
    ChiliPepperLifter Posts: 279 Member
    I only do conventional deadlifts once a week, and only one set of 5 at my highest weight, this is on my "A" workout day. "B" has no deadlifts, and on "c" I do Romanian deadlifts, at about 70% of what my DL weight is, for more reps. Try to break through slowly with similar, accessory exercises.
  • KittensMaster
    KittensMaster Posts: 748 Member
    I cycle and lift.

    Once every 2 weeks do deadlifts. Always use straps and go heavy for me.

    They help cycling for strength, climbing. Cycling helps deadlifts for vascularity of the entire leg group.

    I only go to 365 for 3x 3 sets at the end of the workout

    Not a power lifter.

    Deads are too taxing to do more than once a week for me to lift hard and recover adequately with all the other stuff I do.

    YMMV
  • jo_marnes
    jo_marnes Posts: 1,601 Member
    While having a break sometimes helps to refresh the mindset, it won't improve your function in the lift. If you are keen to pursue it, you are better trying to work out what the issue is. Video your form and look at what you might be doing awkwardly or where the weak point is. Then you can start the path to correcting it.
  • _benjammin
    _benjammin Posts: 1,224 Member
    Have you determined which style your body type may be more suited for?
    http://www.elitefts.com/education/training/choosing-conventional-or-sumo-based-on-your-bone-structure/
    For me, I'd rather drop the weight and work on set-up and form, not just stop.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    I think it's fine, as long as you don't mind wearing a skirt in the meantime.


    :D
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    You hurt my feelings Dope.

    :'(


    Is it OK if it's a kilt?


    Benjammmin, I have short torso and short arms, so I fall into the "either" category. That's why, when I stalled out earlier in the year / late last year, I switched from conventional to sumo - figured it wouldn't hurt to try the other way.
  • nossmf
    nossmf Posts: 13,670 Member
    Try a trapbar DL. After using the device for only a few weeks, I set new lifetime DL PR's with it, feeling I had room to spare. Some might cry foul about it not being a "true DL" or whatnot, but it's still me picking up a deadweight off the ground and standing up, so I count them all the same for purposes of record keeping - conventional, sumo and trap.
  • CarlKRobbo
    CarlKRobbo Posts: 390 Member
    I've had a problem with squats for a few months, so i see where your coming from....

    Drop the weight, and check form\technique is spot on. EVERY rep, Including warm-ups.

    Video a Heavy single. And see if you can spot the point where you breakdown.... Unfortunately, i can only advise on conventional, as i have 100KG between my Sumo, and conventional... Sumo is not for me.....

    Once you spot the breakdown, then you can go from there. Train it from the weakpoint up... As an example my squats were Wide stance, Mid Bar, inconsistent, and Quads are lacking... So we hit all of them, narrowed stance, and squatted 4 times a week :) (Obviously not good for Deadlifts!)

    Deadlifts, we attacked yet more quad work, Glutes and Hamstring work, and added Grip work, which even though i winged about, I did. First session tonight minus the grip work, so we shall see how MUCH it pays off!

    IMHO - All lifts will stall at some point, different times, the real trick is to adapt them when needed, in order to break through the stalls
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    TR0berts wrote: »
    You hurt my feelings Dope.

    :'(


    Is it OK if it's a kilt?


    Benjammmin, I have short torso and short arms, so I fall into the "either" category. That's why, when I stalled out earlier in the year / late last year, I switched from conventional to sumo - figured it wouldn't hurt to try the other way.

    image.jpg?w=400&c=1
  • ChiliPepperLifter
    ChiliPepperLifter Posts: 279 Member
    DopeItUp wrote: »
    I think it's fine, as long as you don't mind wearing a skirt in the meantime.


    :D

    Sorry, gotta call out sexist comments, no matter if they are intended to be funny. Let's be aware that women lift, including deadlifts. We also wear skirts sometimes. We are not weaker for these reasons. These types of comments are "microaggressions".

    Not to derail the OP's topic, I like the idea of working out the kinks of your form. Deadlifts are too beneficial to ignore completely.
  • _benjammin
    _benjammin Posts: 1,224 Member
    Sorry, gotta call out sexist comments, ...These types of comments are "microaggressions".
    ...
    I had to google "microaggressions". Maybe the comment was sexist but I don't think is was a "microaggression" towards women, men who don't deadlift...ok, maybe.
  • jo_marnes
    jo_marnes Posts: 1,601 Member
    Hahaha, I had to google it too..... :D
  • andylllI
    andylllI Posts: 379 Member
    I don't have any advice for the OP.

    But I think women who lift may be more likely to wear skirts, at least to places they can't wear leggings...Because it's hard to buy pants when you have size 6 glutes and a size 2 waist.
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    I've had to do this the last couple years because of a joint disease and causing a lot of tendonitis in my elbows that is too painful to DL. I think this is the longest period that I've been able to do them....4 months straight. Obviously hitting PRs though very low for my size.

    Maybe work on some of the movements that help with the DL RDL's, rack pulls etc and see if that helps?
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    I just revamped my DL programming - and I'm back to conventional.
  • christch
    christch Posts: 238 Member
    I've just had to temporary drop DL as I've got strength issues with right side being weaker and the fact my right leg longer than left causing right leg to cave in throwing form off. Even when I dropped weight still a problem so now doing lots of single leg strength work using leg press, extensions, curls and glute work. Hoping this will make a difference and I'll be able to go back to DL soon.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    GW Heel Lift, Inc makes a great Clearly Adjustable heel and full length solid insole add-in to help with unequal leg length. For lifting I'd suggest full length, having just heel higher sets up some bad action too as weight goes up.

    If enough difference, and amount of time on feet walking on level ground or standing - the compensation to it can be some bad side effects.
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