I’d have to diverge. Traditional deads are my favorite overall but sumo requires more upper back strength by far and they’re great additions to a routine considering. Could even be the thing that moves you from mid-400s to 500+ when you come back to a normal deadlift.
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Tnation sold a trap bar and posted several articles on the benefits of using one. By authors who are stronger than you… and Rippetoe.
just to be clear… In your mind does this validate trap deadlifts as real deadlift?
In your mind, does it validate you? You are calling guys who are stronger than you pussies because they won’t dismiss the trap bar; maybe they know something you don’t. Regardless, the trap bar deadlift and conventional deadlift are two different exercises but similar movements. Is someone a pussy if they use the safety squat bar instead of a straight bar?
I love and own an ssb. And if you used one, it crushes you, unless you use it backwards, then it is easy. But it is accessory. Just an accessory that will boost strength. I also made a hatfield setup with it, which is, again, an accessory and not a replacement for squats
Trap bar deadlift is an accessory at best. If anyone is saying it is a real deadlift, then they are full of shit. It makes it easier
I think they’re saying it’s a real… trap bar deadlift.
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I did that much the first day I tried deadlifting.
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So are PL rules the deciding factor?
Because both deficit and Ukrainian deadlifts make traditional deads feel like a game.
It should be noted that Hatfield recommended safety squats over any other variation.
You have the cart before the horse. The trap bar leveled the field so that a disadvantaged straight bar deadlifter could strengthen the same muscles a good deadlifter can with the traditional deadlift.
Like you I never used a trap bar to see what I could trap bar deadlift. But I see the value for those who struggle tapping into their strength doing a straight bar deadlift.
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And this is why I raise the bar higher rather than lift from the floor. Imagine doing deficit DLs exclusively. That’s essentially what I was doing when I lifted from off the floor. Dan John says it’s ok.
I think the sentiment behind the bravado is that trap bar deads are not the same measure of strength as traditional deads and everyone agrees. I can’t even remember how we moved from straps to deadlift variations so I’m going to duck out but in liu of a gym membership and the advantage of bumping elbows and sharing experiences I hope our home gym sheriff can learn a thing or two online, even from a contrarian place.
I am surprised this is a hill everyone wants to die on. In the interest of brevity, could i also get the people that think that smith machine is legit to join the people that believe that a trap bar deadlift is legit, so i can dismiss you all at once
My three decades of competing in both powerlifting and mostly bodybuilding, I feel it is my responsibility to “die on every hill” (though that is not pragmatically possible.) All I have to offer this forum are my experiences
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Define legit.
Is a powerlifting squat legit and a safety squat not legit? Hatfield said the PL squat is harder (on the body) but recommended people do the safety squat.
Captain Hook-Grip, obviously.
This thread got a little weird. It’s like we’ve come to either it’s one of the powerlifting movements for max effort (and context rules, it seems) or you’re not allowed to do it.
I’ll throw a grenade: there are very few circumstances where I’d have an athlete deadlift from the floor. My point being: different goals/ circumstances = different tools/ methods.
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I found it
They are good for deads, as supplemental lifts working through sticking points. Like board presses, floor presses, elevated box squats or even face pulls.
I think we can all agree this is bullshit and most if not everyone posting are not suggesting they replace the deadlift - for deadlift PR purposes.
You will eventually see a limiting return in your grip/forearms before you do in your back and hips. You just aren’t there yet. Many people responding to you are. Try to broaden your view and understand.
I’m not going hunt the sumo comment down but I would encourage you make sure your deadlift form and bar path are actually legit, then strap up after hitting your last rep. Give yourself that extra, very heavy (to you) extra-inning stimulus.
Also work Sumos in as accessories. Keep in mind accessory doesn’t mean light and optional after heavy deads. Make them the primary pull for a while. Know they are emphasizing muscle in the movement chain you’re not currently hitting hard, likely due to arm/torso/leg length ratios and the physics of leverage. I would bet my truck if trap deads legitimately are not helping you progress from your mid 400-‘s sticking point to 500 plus, heavy sumo pulling will emphasize musculature leading to breaking plateaus on sticking points when you come back to traditional.
Ah shit, a too easy rebuttal to my wrist hooks. I’ll have to think this through!
100%. What is the end goal and will training styles & adaptations help you meet it.
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455 could be a beastly lift for a very small person, which our guy may be for all I know. It took me a few months of haphazard, novice-level lifting in my mid 30’s to hit it.
Interestingly enough, this made me recall a time when a gym regular worked in with me on deadlifts for shits and giggles and 455 or something really close was the top set for the day. He got it for 6 or 7 reps I think, and I only ever saw him doing trap bar deadlifts and using machines and dumbbells.
He was also a D1 baseball player in his college days and a still a good athlete in his late 20’s, playing-semi pro football that he tried to rope me into trying out for. His family owns a regional ice cream chain. If only he trained regularly with a straight bar deadlift he might someday become a real man.
Tell me about it. It was dead and buried for a few months and then bam !!
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