[CROWLER]

I will be honest I can barely perform a couple reps and I kinda cheat on them lol

[CaptAmera9]

I just feel a lot more comfortable pulling from the sumo position. I do both ways just for practice and to hit the different muscles, but when it comes down to my serious heavy lift I always go with the sumo.

[AcuDoc]

If you're trying to increase your deadlift, then as Louie Simmons says, "do everything but deadlift". Sounds strange but I've found good mornings, box squats, and hypers to really build a strong deadlift.

For back thickness you should also throw in some GMs. Just my humble opinion.

[exnihilo]

I find that conventional deads work the upper and lower back more, while sumo hits the glutes and hams more. I do both, though I only go really heavy with sumo style deadlifts as I have had some back pain issues after super heavy convetional deads.

I think some sort of deadlifting should be done every week, whether speed pulls, pulls off a platform, or something. I wouldn't go heavy on deadlifts every week though, that taxes the nervous system in an extreme way.

[AcuDoc]

Originally Posted by exnihilo

I wouldn't go heavy on deadlifts every week though, that taxes the nervous system in an extreme way.

I'm guessing you mean don't do a 1 rep max every week. Are you talking even a 3RM?

PL definition of "heavy" can be different from the BB definition.

[IRserge]

Deadlifts themselves are very taxing on the CNS whether your going for reps or maxing out. I wouldn't recommend doing them every week as it may lead to overtraining.

[exnihilo]

Going heavy for me is 3rm or heavier. I Agree with IRserge that you should be careful not to overdo deadlifts, however some variant (whether speed pulls, sumo pulls, conventional pulls on a platform, etc) should be done every week, probably alternating between a 1rm, doing 3-5 sets of 3 reps with a 5rm weight, and doing 8-10 singles with a 5-6rm weight but done as explosively as possible.

[AcuDoc]

Originally Posted by exnihilo

Going heavy for me is 3rm or heavier. I Agree with IRserge that you should be careful not to overdo deadlifts, however some variant (whether speed pulls, sumo pulls, conventional pulls on a platform, etc) should be done every week, probably alternating between a 1rm, doing 3-5 sets of 3 reps with a 5rm weight, and doing 8-10 singles with a 5-6rm weight but done as explosively as possible.

Thanks for clarifying that. Those are some good ways to mix things up so the CNS isn't overtaxed.

[BOHICA]

I have recently turned to rack deadlifts for my back thickness. They work great, and doesn't give my lower back/legs the burn I didn't want since I'm hitting it on back day.

[exnihilo]

Originally Posted by BOHICA

I have recently turned to rack deadlifts for my back thickness. They work great, and doesn't give my lower back/legs the burn I didn't want since I'm hitting it on back day.

Try spacing your grip WAY WAY out when you do your rack pulls too. That seems to involve the back a lot more.

[Ant.]

I was reading the thread and I was going to suggest rack pulls but it looks like you figured it out on your own. Those are fun. I got up to 680 from just above my knee last week. Also, cleans or clean pulls seem to be good for upper back thickness. As for deadlifts, I think exnihilo hit the nail on the head when he said conventional involves more low and upper back while sumo is glutes and hammies. I havent tried moving my grip out but im gonna give that a shot. Seems like it would give the traps hell.

[-2z-]

Originally Posted by glenihan

IMO for overall back thickness conventional deads from the floor is your best bet

I agree.

[Vincent124]

Good mornings > any deadlift.

[BigVrunga]

I dont know about that...they work different muscle groups.

[bioman]

I give props to trap bar deads as well. They seem to hit me all over and I can pause more effectively at the top of the lift and get my posture/form just right. I can go a lot heavier and slower on them with more confidence than standard or sumo deads.

I'm a bit on the slower recovery end of things so at most I'll alternate squats on week one, leg presses on week two, and deads on week three...then repeat. On cycle I'll add leg presses to squat day and alternate squats and deads each week. .since I'm in superman mode. lol

[rake922]

Regular deadlift

[CRUNCH]

Back in my glory days of strongman comps, we'd have different events from one comp to another. Some had full deads, some partials (18" or silver dollar deads). Found I could pull more from the ground with conventional and more from 18" with sumo.

Conventional deads work best for me. I'm 6'3" with long legs and arms so I agree with what others have said about individual body structure being the best indicator of which type of dead is best for them.

[Mulletsoldier]

Personally I like the Rack.