Thread: Sumo Easier than Conventional Dead?

Not sure what's up there. I find conv harder, so I do an inbetween which I find more comfortable. When I'm feel like I'm in a comfortable position i find that i can do more weight. Maybe it's our body structures which allows us to get into different positions easier.

Originally Posted by Rocco32

I always thought you could move more weight Sumo Style rather than Conventional. Today I had 315 on the bar and couldn't BUDGE it doing Sumo Style. NOT AT FREAKING ALL! Three times I tried. Finally I switched to Conventional style and the weight just came up. And I haven't done Conventionals for quite a long time. What's up with that?

I was planning to go with more of a Sumo Stance for my PL meet coming up but I guess I'm stronger going conventional.

I think it depends on what is more comfortable for you. When I did PL I had a buddy that was in the same weight class with me and he did conv and I did sumo. I tried conv and he tried sumo once and it was much harder for us than the way we usually did it. Also, what weight class are you lifting in? That has nothing to do with your question but I'm just curious.

Sumo should require more hips, I suck at sumo or wide squats. Supposedly its easier on the back, so some actually pull sumo in training and conventional in competition.

Technically speaking sumo should be easier, but only because the legs are farther apart and you have to move the bar a shorter distance. I agree with what was said above: it's more what you're comfortable with and it deals a lot with individual body types. I've always done conventional, but that's just me. When I try sumo it seems like it strains the groin area too much for me.

Originally Posted by Rocco32

I always thought you could move more weight Sumo Style rather than Conventional. Today I had 315 on the bar and couldn't BUDGE it doing Sumo Style. NOT AT FREAKING ALL! Three times I tried. Finally I switched to Conventional style and the weight just came up. And I haven't done Conventionals for quite a long time. What's up with that?

I was planning to go with more of a Sumo Stance for my PL meet coming up but I guess I'm stronger going conventional.

maybe your form is off?

I am much stronger conventional than I am sumo but that is because all my explsoive lifting starts in a conventional deadlift (cleans, snatch, pulls etc..).

Check your form and make sure you are sitting back far enough and you shins are perpendicular to the floor.

Originally Posted by Tough Old Man

Not sure what's up there. I find conv harder, so I do an inbetween which I find more comfortable. When I'm feel like I'm in a comfortable position i find that i can do more weight. Maybe it's our body structures which allows us to get into different positions easier.

Your prob right about our body structures and what we're comfortable with. I've never been "comfortable" with the sumo style.

Originally Posted by Newt

I think it depends on what is more comfortable for you. When I did PL I had a buddy that was in the same weight class with me and he did conv and I did sumo. I tried conv and he tried sumo once and it was much harder for us than the way we usually did it. Also, what weight class are you lifting in? That has nothing to do with your question but I'm just curious.

Makes sense. I'll be competing in the 198 category.

Originally Posted by Mudge

Sumo should require more hips, I suck at sumo or wide squats. Supposedly its easier on the back, so some actually pull sumo in training and conventional in competition.

I think I'm finding I suck at the Wide Squats as well. I have some playing around to do before the comp I guess.

Originally Posted by Squaggleboggin

Technically speaking sumo should be easier, but only because the legs are farther apart and you have to move the bar a shorter distance. I agree with what was said above: it's more what you're comfortable with and it deals a lot with individual body types. I've always done conventional, but that's just me. When I try sumo it seems like it strains the groin area too much for me.

I just have a hell of a time getting the bar moving with sumo.

Originally Posted by P-funk

maybe your form is off?

I am much stronger conventional than I am sumo but that is because all my explsoive lifting starts in a conventional deadlift (cleans, snatch, pulls etc..).

Check your form and make sure you are sitting back far enough and you shins are perpendicular to the floor.

Your prob right, though I've been trying hard to keep it spot on. I really need to video my deads so you can see.

It depends on your build. Taller guys tend to squat better conventional because they can get better leverage. Similarly, shorter guys (or guys with short legs, long torso and long arms, can shred in a sumo stance because it greatly lessens the distance the bar has to travel.

Mudge had a point as well. If your hips are a weakpoint, sumo really won't complement you. I pull best at some point between a wide sumo stance and a conventional stance. Play around with it and see what suits you best.