Jake struggled with hinging his hips when he first started lifting with us, but showed promise as a sumo deadlifter. By training conventional and sumo deadlifts simultaneously, eventually Jake landed on the best option for him and pulled his first-ever double bodyweight deadlift. Do YOU have a technique issue that needs solving? We can help! …
The trap bar deadlift is the go-to deadlift variation for most of our athletes and adult clients at The Strength House who don’t compete in powerlifting. There’s nothing wrong with having non-powerlifters deadlift with a straight bar (and we’ll use them in the right situation), but we find the trap bar preferable for the bulk …
Why Trap Bar Deadlift Instead of Conventional or Sumo? Read More »
I cover sumo deadlifts in part two of this Technique Tuesday series on how to lower the bar back to the floor. Sumo is tricky for several reasons, and getting back into the right position for each successive rep takes lots of practice. You need the right combination of hip and torso positioning, but most of all, you …
Technique Tuesday: Lowering the Bar During the Sumo Deadlift Read More »
Usually I prefer to cry in the corner by myself between sets of deadlifts (it’s historically been the most challenging of the powerlifts for me), but this week’s Technique Tuesday covers what to do between sets of heavy pulls. Our primary goals between sets of the deadlift are to: Mobilize the hips Activate the abs and upper …
Technique Tuesday: What Should You Do Between Sets? (Deadlift Edition) Read More »
This week’s Technique Tuesday answers a common question: how wide is TOO wide for squats and sumo deadlifts? One might assume that wider is better because it reduces the range of motion and means you can lift more weight. That’s kinda true, but once you get too wide, there’s a point of diminishing returns. This …
Technique Tuesday: How Wide is Too Wide for Squats and Sumo Deadlifts? Read More »
In the final installment of this 3-part series, we’ll talk about how to use paused reps to target weak points in your deadlift. Paused deadlifts might be the most evil of all the paused variants of the powerlifts, but they make up for their brutality with their effectiveness. And in case you haven’t already, check out …
Problem Solving with Paused Reps – Deadlift Edition Read More »
Last week, I talked about two trap bar exercises to build upper back strength. I also mentioned how I didn’t like the trap bar for building the conventional or sumo deadlift, and received several questions as to why. You asked and I answered in this week’s Technique Tuesday. Don’t get me wrong, trap bar deadlifts …
Technique Tuesday: 3 Reasons Trap Bar Deadlifts Don’t Carry Over to the Straight Bar Read More »
This week’s Technique Tuesday covers the seated sumo deadlift, which is a drill I use with lifters to fix a common problem: an inability to push with the legs during the sumo deadlift. Lots of lifters get out of position while deadlifting and feel like they’re only using their back. The seated sumo deadlift forces …
Technique Tuesday: Seated Sumo Deadlift to Help You Feel Your Legs Read More »
Of all the powerlifts, the sumo deadlift might be the trickiest. While there are huge benefits to reducing your range of motion with a wide stance, it takes a perfect setup and lots of patience to effectively utilize the technique. This week’s Technique Tuesday breaks down three common sumo deadlift mistakes that I see lifters …
Technique Tuesday: 3 Common Sumo Deadlift Mistakes Read More »
When it comes to warming up, most people fall into one of two groups: the group that spends 45 minutes rolling and stretching everything, or the group that does a couple arm circles and says “let’s go!” Neither group is making the best use of their time. I used to belong to the first group, but …
Stack.com – Flexibility Fillers: 3 Exercises to Make the Most of Your Rest Periods Read More »
