Only WEAK People Think Sumo Deadlifts Are Cheating (Ft. Boris Sheiko)

[@OmarIsuf]

Who dares disagree with Professor Sheiko? Enjoy this quick preview of some of the conversations I had with Professor Sheiko (there is a 2 hour interview we are currently editing). The programs created with Professor Sheiko will be available for pre-order starting January 2nd! Thanks to everyone for the support.

[@imranlodhi90]

OmarIsuf Yes finally! I've been waiting for you to release a video in which Boris Sheiko would particpate in, ever since I have seen some photos of y'all on instagram :)

[@superdude9723]

OmarIsuf yup they should have separate categories at meets so less people would complain

[@Exekutioncro]

How much will be full programm from sheiko ?

[@mrmonkeykow]

Paul M that’s false. Look at Cailer Woolam. He’s neither built to bench nor squat yet pulls sumo

[@larrymasterspowerbuildingc4477]

OmarIsuf what do you know anyways? You got no calves... You got no dog in the fight beeeeotch! Hahaha. I say lift how you like and be a strong fucker sumo or conventional and ignore the hate. Validation is cheap in this argument. Pull the shit and shut the fuck up. Detroit loves Omar Assmuffincakes....

[@ErikTheElectric]

The entire time Boris was actually chastising Mr. Isuf for his lack of appetite and for not training his calves enough.

[@biglou250]

helo omor i recently stopped by a local Pakistani shaman known for his magic skill. i show man pic of you and ask if he can remove the curse from your calfs. he looks at me with straight face and say this may be impossible but he give it a go. he then ask for an item connected with omor and i give him my peech bois t shirt. he quietly hold shirt for a moment and say i should make a pilgrammage to Gulf of Oman for omor and take shirt and throw it in sea. it very long trip but i do whatever it takes for a friend. i approach edge of cliff and proceed to throw the shirt off but before it reach the water it was grabbed by a large black vulture. i scream at bird but he carry shirt away into the sunset. i then go back and tell shaman and he say this is very bad sign and likely mean no hope for omor calf. im sorry omor but i try. god bless u and please send replacement peech bois shirt if possible.

[@OmarIsuf]

Lou brah, YOU DO THAT FACE REVEAL AND YOU WILL GET A PEACH BOIS SHIRT GUARANTEED. LOU YOU MY HERO.

[@JT-fi4hq]

oh shit he responded!!!

[@biglou250]

i possible make video sometime in near future with calf routine tips for size when i recieve new video camera. thank for tthe comments and support and god bless u

[@johnjohntv1195]

Fuck me 😂😭😂

[@mogi_fit718]

God bless you.

[@yogiyoda]

Can confirm. Loser here. Anyone better that me is a cheater. That's how I sleep at night. Good night.

[@Finkelfunk]

It would be hilarious if Boris Sheiko would have literally no idea what the question was or what you guys are talking about and he'd just give instructions on a really good pie recipe while Mike Israetel was making up all the answers. Poor Russian probably thinks you're just two buff dudes who really like baked goods.

[@OmarIsuf]

Wait until the video you see coming up from us

[@Hkizzie]

Omar is so polite. He's looking at the guy like he understands Russian the whole time. Gotta respect that sort of respect. I would have started picking my nose after 20 secs.

[@DanielJackson-uc8xk]

Everyone I've personally met who says sumo is cheating, can't pull more sumo. I pull both, I mainly stuck to only sumo for a year to two years and tried conventional again only to find out I pulled 20+ lbs more conventional

[@Exekutioncro]

Daniel Jackson lol so true. They all claim how easy sumo is yet they are far weaker with sumo stance and continue pulling conventional 😂

[@DanielJackson-uc8xk]

It's as if people completely disregard any type of biomechanics and assume shorter ROM means easier. If that where the case, why can't I bench more with my hands as wide as possible on bench, even when I have super long arms for my height (about 3in+ extra wingspan)

[@brendonchan6943]

Daniel Jackson Well said. Many jump on their own mere assumptions without thorough understanding of both conv. and sumo.

[@Von.NorthEnd]

Put up video proof

[@DanielJackson-uc8xk]

@@Von.NorthEnd this was 2 fucking years ago LMAO

[@seanissomething]

Sumo deadlifts where the plates come 2 inches off the ground, super-arched bench presses where the bar moves 2 inches in total... these are the reasons powerlifting will never be taken seriously by people other than powerlifters. Same thing with why they stopped the clean and press as an Olympic lift; because at some point it stops being about “how much can I lift” and more about “how much can I butcher the form/definition of a “squat” or a “deadlift” or a “press” while still having it “count”. Olympic lifts can’t be cheated. Some people may have genetic advantages as far as limb length etc, but the form is what it is. Some bench presses and deadlifts I’ve seen that “count” are an absolute joke. See the latest women’s bench press record and see a perfect example of this nonsense.

[@jonathaninteriano8389]

seanissomething I agree 100% with everything you said

[@Sonofshane1]

Pretty sure I heard Kaz say something similar on this in the 80s

[@ipsojure2137]

i feel like the biggest problem with sumo deadlifts is, that they are not really comparable with traditional deadlifts especially for outsiders. they should just make a separate category for sumo lifters. totally agree with what you said about the bp and cp tho edit: silly me, he said that in the video

[@xinsanedefeatx]

Heynamechangeisback nice Like Sheiko said feds have no incentive to create two separate classes, it would also require a fundamental change to the rule book (arching and sumo are akin to the flop on high jump, it's within the rules so it's legal) if it doesn't count in your mind, then just don't consider sumo pullers and their medals valid. As Sheiko said, the strong people don't care. You think Larry Wheels or Pete Rubish would complain about Belkin, I highly doubt it

[@LightsTeamEuphoria]

seanissomething There is no way around that though, in every sport that is competitive, of course people will stretch the rules as much as possible, and of course people will have genetic advantages. It hasn't stopped any other sports from growing. It's perspective I guess, in powerlifting the advantages are more visible. But every sport has those, in MMA you have massive reach advantages, eye poking, vaseline, PEDs is an issue in every sport, grabbing the fence, cheap shots, running. I don't think I need to go in depth for every sport, but they all have advantages and at the top level especially, rules will be stretched because at the very top, there is such a small gap between lifters, so every extra pound counts. I don't like the deadlift where the weight comes 2 inches off the ground either, or the massive arch, but if you don't like it, beat em. Simple as that, every body type has its maximum proficiency, so unless you're in the top .1% and that extra pounds they squeeze out actually make it so you cannot pass them, then it isn't an issue. If you're top below the top 5% I see it as a non issue, someone with a big arch or a wide sumo is not gonna out lift me based on that alone, they will need to be straight up stronger, which you just have to work harder.

[@1neomonkey]

Its not that sumo is "cheating", rather its a different lift. If we're going to be comparing strength, then we should all be comparing it to the exact same movement. How does it make sense that one person can do sumo and another can do conventional? While we're at it, why not a behind the back deadlift? Why not a Jefferson deadlift? As a matter of fact why shouldn't I be able to do a decline bench press vs a flat bench press? I mean only WEAK people think decline bench press is cheating. Is it really all that different from someone who can way over arch their back than me and have a 2 inch range of motion? All we're asking for is a little more uniformity and consistency, why is that so difficult?

[@1neomonkey]

Arnold Cabiles - I disagree, its precisely conversations like these that actually help to bring about progress and an overall better understanding around the sport that we love. Also, I disagree about strength sports being unpopular as well, sure its not as popular as basketball or football, but it certainly is growing pretty rapidly and you are seeing alot of people compete in the sport today that you never would normally see 2 decades ago, or just 5 years ago.

[@jamesbondisamonkey]

Exactly...different lifts should not be compared...its not fucking rocket science. Sumo is sumo. Traditional is traditional. It is not some kind of racism to keep them apart, it is simple logic.

[@RodesLaw]

Sum is awesome and essential for me. I started getting back pain from conventional deads after I surpassed 350lb, due to my horrible leverages. No mater what stance or grip length I used my lower and mid back would hurt after every set with conventional. My legs are long and my arms and torso are short so my back is in very compromising position with conventional. It's actually dangerous for me to pull conventional. We need to get out of the dogmatic powerlifter mindset. I hit 455lb with sumo 2 weeks ago and my back felt amazing afterward, no back pain at all. Sumo is truth.

[@stolimonoli5730]

I agree with sheiko but what’s with the guy in the middle with no calves?

[@LexesOHara]

I love this and that someone spoke on the sumo vs conventional argument. I recently went from sumo to conventional because it feels better on my body, but both definitely have their pros and cons!

[@PPMarc23]

That smirk at 1:20 is why we hold you in such high regards Omar. Unbelieveably high quality of content and presentation but also your humour that keeps on pushing through, which keeps us connected and interested. Big props man!

[@joelmathew3802]

Can Dr. Mike get any more impressive. Someone who's contributed so much to fitness and knows Russian? What a badass!

[@sgiuliana8]

A persons low-bar squat is most of the time going to be stronger than their high-bar squat but I never hear any powerlifters crying that low-bar is cheating... If all you care about is measuring ones raw strength and don't like the trend of powerlifters trying to become more efficient at lifts, then quit the complaining and find a different sport like strongman or make your own community of standards and don't care about what other people think. If you think someones sumo pull is unimpressive, why are you so upset over what other people think of something that doesn't effect you? Oh is it because you feel like others will think less of you bc you can't conventionally pull more than they sumo? If you are that insecure then you need to check yourself. YOU WILL GET RESPECT no matter how much you lift as long as you push your hardest at what you like. Bigger numbers aren't be all end all.

[@DanEvan]

Your channel has become the number one place for informative, no bullshit, real world applicable instruction, advice, and overall content for strength training. Well done Omar.

[@DCJayhawk57]

I have decent leverages for both lifts (not great) with a relatively proportionate build, but I find I can train sumo at a bit higher intensity more frequently because it's less stressful on my lower back. I just don't get the same kind of fatigue there, and a lot of people have said the same thing. I find I can get a lot more glute activation in sumo compared to conventional as well. I had to play around with grip width for a while, but have finally found a good width that allows me to get my lats as tight as in conventional (a common technique flaw I hear/read about). The main downside I've experienced is adductor fatigue and minor strains when I haven't adequately warmed up. I can often go straight in the gym and start with my warmup sets on conventional without any real mobility work, but sumo requires a mobility approach more similar to squats (at least in my case). Also, I think sumo requires you train with straps or learn the hookgrip because mixed grip feels really uncomfortable for me and most other people on sumo. For reference, my best sumo and best conventional are only split by 5 lb and were separated by a few months, so I think that my numbers are essentially equal in the two lifts. I don't feel like sumo is cheating at all for me; it requires a much more technically sound and patient approach.

[@MrCman321]

What about sumo lifters who's feet are practically touching the plates, and all they have to do is almost shrug and they'll be in lockout? If that is the exact same as conventional then it is really counter-intuitive to think they are the same, but nevertheless I will accept it since such a high level coach said so.

[@MuhammadHassan-bs5dp]

I mean what about conventional pullers with long arms who are very upright in their pulls for them its a lot easier too

[@MrCman321]

Yeah, that's a physiological characteristic. But then think of the same person pulling sumo with their feet out as far as possible. Do you see what I mean? They are already built to pull, and then if they sumo it just makes it 10 times easier.

[@Exekutioncro]

Shiva, The Destroyer so why do people in competition even deadlift conventional if sumo is 10 times easier ? Do they compete without trying to win ? 🤔

[@Dirtkid98505]

So if I pull more with the barbell behind the back why can't I do that?

[@los1wochos]

Sheiko is a god. This is an awesome idea. I would love to see hours of this.

[@OmarIsuf]

WE GOT VIDEOS COMING UP DON'T YOU WORRY

[@nelsonwiserealtor]

I agree a very good video talking about very specific ideas when to comes to strength training.

[@brandonmarcos5422]

I really appreciate this video. Tired of conventional lifters elitism. People act as though sumo is an instant 50-100 lbs added. It's easier in every way and is a cheaters movement. If that's the case why wouldn't every siingle powerlifter ever pull sumo. You want to win right? Thats why you compete right? So why not just do something any moron could do and widen your stance to sumo and pull 100 lbs more than normal? It's insulting. By this logic you could go up to guys like Ray Williams and Eddie Hall and say "Hey idiot why do you pull conventional? Don't you know you could just switch to sumo and crush your PRs? You want to win don't you?" The logic that follows would have to suggest that these big conventional lifters who are some of the strongest and most dedicated and competitive lifters are leaving 50-100 lbs on the table for no reason. A true competitive powerlifter may train for a decade to add 100 lbs to their deadlift but instead they could just switch to sumo and boom done just saved a decade of training wow that was easy. I use to think sumo was easier to until I tried it and was 10% weaker on it than conventional. After training it for a while its now around 10% stronger than my conventional. It's not this magical lift. It's not a cheat. It's just a different way to pull and the proof is in the fact that some of the best powerlifters in the world still pull conventional. I.e. Marisa Inda, Ray Williams, etc... It's bullshit to take the lift you happen to be better at and say "this is the only valid way to do it" It shows insecurity. They say they do it for the sake of fairness but I say it'd be fair if it was "I choose my best technique and you choose yours" not "I choose my best technique and you have to do the one your not as skilled at that I'm good at it or it doesn't count."

[@frysebox1]

sumo pulling manlet detected

[@twirdman2]

I will say I agree with your central premise that sumo is not simply a matter of being absolutely better and easier than conventional but Eddie Hall is a poor choice to mention. Eddie Hall has to lift conventional because WSM and all strongman competitions requiring conventional lifting. Your example with Ray Williams was much more on point.

[@brandonmarcos5422]

frysebox1 Guilty as charged

[@Shadowrpb]

Thank you for the video Omar. Personally, i got tired of conventional since i always ended up getting hurt. I have had numerous form checks/etc but always one little tweak sideboarded me to MONTHS. Even since i started to sumo, i have not had a back issue.. period.

[@jamesbondisamonkey]

Sumo deadlift is not cheating, its just not the same as a traditional deadlift, as the trap bar deadlift is simply not the same range of motion, and as the ridiculously small range of motion bench pressers are not the same as one with far more range of motion...this isn't really debatable, its a different exercise. Obviously powerlifters are trying to take advantage of a loophole, but that is simply how the sport is set up. If you want maximum force, you do not look at simply the weight being lifted. You attach some kind of power meter to the bar and find the maximal force put into the bar for the squat, deadlift, bench press, and whatever else you want. This kind of thing is not done in powerlifting because its a logistical nightmare, but in reality, that is what is the apex of power. This is why you can not simply compare any one lift from one person to the other because of range of motion, speed of the lift, etc. But claiming someone with short arms and limited range of motion, or short range of motion in the sumo is putting out the same force as someone who is pushing the bar further, is just kind of bullshit. So until you strap on a power meter onto the bar, ALL the exercises you perform in the gym will simply just be hard to qualify. In sport, for example throwing the shotput, javelin, long drive, throwing a baseball, you can see in a lot more clear of a way who is actually exerting the most power. These sports show clearly, that despite body type, you have clear indications of exactly which athlete is producing maximal power. You do not, and CAN not have this in powerlifting.

[@Sbarrett1]

I think sumo and conventional are about equal in terms of how much one can lift. There are so many arguments on either side of the spectrum to suggest one is easier than the other. Some examples include: Sumo: The ROM is shorter and the total work required is lower. Conventional: The foot placement gives a mechanical advantage that can compensate for the longer ROM in some situations. Sumo: Requires less muscle to move a certain weight due to the upright posture. Conventional: The forward lean allows you to use more muscle to lift more weight. Sumo: The upright posture makes it safer, therefore, more training volume can be done and injury rates should be lower. Conventional: (This is my own anecdotal argument) I pulled sumo for the first year of deadlifting thinking that argument was true. I proceeded to get injured 3 times in than time frame, all doing deadlifts. Eventually switched to conventional and haven't had any issue since and have been doing conventional for almost double the time. Plus I've seen a lot of sumo pullers lately having spinal issues. (Candito, Silent Mike, etc.). Personally, I used to pull sumo until I had to switch due to a glute injury and two back injuries that made it impossible to pull that way. It definitely took a hit in my performance, but that was because I never pulled conventional before that point. Right now, I pull way more conventional than sumo and have been progressing very well.

[@jacobkrupowicz2288]

It seems weird that people who are born with bodies that lend themselves to pulling conventional are praised for happening to have the ability to make conventional more efficient, but if someone works on their flexibility and technique and follows all the rules to actively improve their lifting efficiency by converting to a sumo stance, people lose their minds.

[@marshallore6869]

If Sumo is legal then why is behind the back and straddle illegal?

[@JoeyAme]

If sumo is cheating, than an arched back when benching and low bar squats is cheating too. Seriously though. Everyone is built different and it only makes sense to use whatever form that gives us the best advantage. There’s guys with huge chests and short arms putting up crazy numbers on bench, but they probably have shitty deadlifts. It’s all about biomechanics. Use what’s best for you.

[@showrobber]

If a lifter can pull more weight with sumo, why is it cheating? Why would he lift conventional, if he can lift more weight and can reach his full potential? This discussion is pure bullshit.

[@brois841]

Wow, didn't realize Dr. Mike Israetel spoke Russian. Was nice to hear it in Russian, the translation was a good loose translation, but not verbatim. Didn't hear Sheiko say anything earth shattering.... but I want to hear more from him! Have him on to talk about programming... not the specific programs you plan on selling, but just general knowledge/approach to programming, etc. Thanks Brofessor!

[@stevena8719]

They are 2 different lifts, and should be judged thusly. Would you judge a front squat and back squat equally?

[@Tork789]

Holy shit, Omar, I'm from post USSR and meeting Sheiko here for strength athletes is as meeting a rockstar for normal people. You earned your like, would like again if I could.

[@Exekutioncro]

So we should ban individual grip weights on benchpress and individual stance width on squats?

[@obits3]

I’m ok with a “hands inside the legs” stance, but there must be some stance width limits. On a powerlifting stage, this would be easily to mark off on the floor with colored tape. If bench has legal limits, so should deadlift.

[@MickJabber]

You have people smashing their feet because they are trying to get the least amount of range of motion possible. Is it cheating or just taking advantage of the rules? Perhaps sumo should have its own category in competition

[@xFrostedFlake]

why is Gnosis nutrition still in the description if the preworkout is all gone?

[@rockstar-mt6gp]

Whats the name of the song at the beginning?

[@barnacleboiii7181]

The deadlift is such a complex lift in itself, I get that it's hard to isolate a particular form just because there are so many different variations of body parts sizes and lengths. The separate competition solution sounds the most reasonable to me though. For competition, I think the should be a strict form. I stand with him completely on the bench arch point he made. Sumo puts more emphasis on legs while conventional puts greater emphasis on back. This is the equivalent of letting someone bench on a decline if they're stronger that way(essentially thats what people with a ridiculous arch do anyways). I've always thought officially, they should make conventional the standard and if they want to throw sumo in, fine- just have that as a separate lift. The three main lifts were designed to target the 3 main large muscle groups. Squats- leg dominant. Bench- chest dominant. It only makes sense that deadlift should be a back dominant lift

[@svmuscle7677]

He was right in the way that he even admitted sumo is a more efficient way of pulling, meaning that almost anyone who tries it for a while and gets good at it will be able to lift more. Does Efficient = easy ?... that's a different argument.

[@gamingseries7608]

I agree that it’s hard to make it 100% even for competitors , but I don’t think sumo is harder than conventional deadlift that’s absurd , you’re saying that jamal browner is stronger than Hafthor?????????

[@koleary1798]

As someone with a sort of fucked up back (SI issues and scoliosis ), discovering how to pull sumo was a godsend. I can personally confirm that it's way more leg dominant then conventional, but who cares? In the "real world" if I was going to pick some heavy stuff off the floor I'd take a wide stance. I do still include conventional deadlifts but I go high reps at a relatively low RPE to make sure that much spinal erectors get enough stimulation.

[@monkeydoublebackflips240]

If pulling sumo is non advantageous, how come it's not permitted in strongman as well as not permitted in strength lifting ?

[@jamesbondisamonkey]

Because strongman is well governed, and they would not tolerate that illogical bullshit. Arm wrestling is another sport that allows for complete nonsensical tactics and manipulation of the rules, and it is quite clear to anyone with any kind of sense of fairness which sports reward talent, and which sports reward manipulation.

[@N000bMaster69]

BRADY BROSEPH THE KINDA GUY TO LEAVE A GNOSIS LINK IN THE DESCRIPTION AND GET MY HOPES UP, ONLY TO GET THEM CRUSHED AFTER I CLICK IT AND SEE ITS STILL CLOSED... MAN PHUCK DAT GUY!

[@jasonaggarwal3450]

So keen for the full interview Omar!

[@kristersvik5114]

Finally you got your christmas present for me, Omar. Damn, waited quite some time for that one but its worth it as always. My gift for you is a like... on every video throughout 2018 :)

[@thegreatdogzilla5855]

I'm not saying it's cheating but does limit the range of motion(shorter distance)

[@feeamarante]

What music is that in the beginning? I have heard that before somewhere

[@AlejandroSanchez-pl6jw]

Despite me being 6'2 with long legs, my conventional still outlifts my sumo. Conventional: 505lbs and sumo :415. But think sumo is a great tool but to each their own

[@BNBsBrainCancerJourney]

Every lifter is free to use either technique and can choose. Such nontraversy. I pull 540 regular and only 475 sumo. You can lift based on your body type. Seems quite fair to me.

[@Superhecticwog]

I have mates that pull more conventional than sumo vise versa. So how can that be said?

[@Mitjitsu]

What if a conventional deadlifter has short legs and long arms? Is that not cheating?

[@GaviRG1]

Mitjitsu no

[@darixkuijs4075]

It's just great to watch someone with that much knowledge. Thanks for sharing Omar

[@anita-hw5wj]

I wish u a happy and healthy new year and keep on posting the video's.

[@ikemlouis2114]

I've done conventional deadlifts and other was thinking about switching to sumo. Should I do it?

[@tylad98]

This is kinda amazing from just an ordinary dude starting out with weights fast forward a few years and he's with arguably the best powerlifting/strength coach on the planet love you omor

[@davidnmfarrell]

Sumo to conventional is like power walking to running. It feels contrived, because if someone actually had to lift a heavy object off the floor they'd never sumo it.

[@CarlosHernandez-dz1dz]

‪Are you going to the Arnold classic in 2018?‬

[@arteksta1943]

If your not a competitive lifter and just generally lifting to get stronger and improve quality of life than you should pull conventional. Sumo changes your hip angle making you use more legs almost a wide squat with the bar loaded in your hands. Deadlift is supposed to train your lower back and hips primarily. There’s a lot of other muscles involved but this is the main function of the movement. Sumo deadlift changes the range of motion by changing your hip angle. But with that being said in competition there is no argument, if the lifting federation allows it than case is closed.

[@jl3977]

I do sumo because my torso is half the length of my legs and I struggle to get into a good position with my back in conventional, it's just way safer for me

[@alexdmrgs]

I'm just trying to figure out the song name in the intro ☺️

[@theylivewesee1674]

Omar what is your 1rep max snatch deadlift??

[@christiandiaz8988]

Idk if its cheating but I do feel the soreness on different places of my body between the 2. Actually 3. Conventional, sumo and snatch grip deadlifts. I feel that the body recruites different muscle to do the different lifts. IMO

[@moo4595]

Jim Wendler said it doesnt matter how You lift(deadlift version ), if you lift with progress it does matter. If You interesting interview with Polish trainer check barbell brothers and jim

[@NathanMcKitrick]

What does Mr. Sheiko think about training calves? Great advice in this video, though. Just asking for a friend.

[@TannerGoff321]

I started sumo. Pulled my first 315 with it. Found out I could pull more conventional.

[@omega3294]

This is a no win discussion. If you have 2 people one is 6ft+ tall long limbs and the other is 5ft 6 and both are doing conventional the variables of distance and length of limbs are different as well as distance of bar travel. Its no equal comparison. But a shorter person doing sumo is a bit easier due to the bar distance. IMO if you are a shorter individual with proportionate limbs you should be doing both at high weight. If you are taller with longer limbs then sumo would be a better preference in terms of adding weight to the bar. Im not a coach or pro but its how I see biometrics of the body. Do w.e you want who cares

[@Crotone79]

Omar you get the best guests on any KZbin fitness channel!! Great work!!

[@DavidGonzalez-on2ly]

That's awesome, I'm thriller that you'd that amazing coach and you:ll release that programme regards from Peru

[@tonytaylor5165]

Shumo can be harder on heavier loads than conventional as there's alot more preparation to the shumo and from point gets past the shin becomes more 2 part movement conventional is more 1part plus you'll be doing more ajustments before on shumo and following reps after as conventional jump right in plus need be flexible in shumo so answer is which best for you but I do best both worlds as shumo get more quad activation and glute activation but conventional hipfelxor and hamstrings work abit more and trapize dose to but both do all same muscles youll build so decent calfs on shumo aswell

[@anthonyc8853]

Sumo isn't cheating, but how about bringing out extra wide plates that weren't used for either squats or bench, nor are the same brand as the other plates on the bar. just to widen the surface area for increased leverage, making the deadlift easier. Thus allowing greater weight to be lifted.

[@tommycage5457]

My take.... in every other lift, for competition, there is one consistent method of lifting per each lift. Only with minor differences. However, deadlifting somehow it's acceptable to basically compete with two completely different style of lifts. Have a sumo competition if you wanna do sumo. Just like some comps are replacing the bench with push press. Would you agree, sumo is drastically different than traditional? Then they don't belong in the same competition, being treated as equal.

[@jsmithes]

Thank GOD. *proceeds to sumo block pull off of 1ft block while eating a croissant*

[@murdockqotsa]

Does anyone here do both? I know if you're competing you probably want to focus on one and increase your numbers. But as a general, hobby lifter I can see the benefit of doing both.

[@davidgoodwin6997]

It will never cease to amaze me that the same people use the argument "sumo is cheating, look at strongman, they don't let you pull sumo" yet fail to realize that strongman allows straps, hitching, and ramping. How is using a wider stance cheating, but literally having to have a piece of equipment just to hold the bar isn't.

[@akumagouki8668]

I say do sumo, do pinch grip, do romanian, do standard... you will be better OVERALL than anyone who sticks to one variation.

[@seattletyler]

Not true. Perfecting one movement is better than being a spastic jack

[@itssonotover961]

@@seattletyler It's one movement but different variations

[@seattletyler]

@@itssonotover961 semantics. each 'variation' is a different motor pattern/movement of kinetic energy. different neurons, different pathways. I say: better to be a master of one, than an actor, of some. lower injury potentiation. more growth.

[@bagofsoup8199]

I knew I had to start doing sumo once my squat maxes started to approach my conventional dead max. I have strong legs so might as well use them

[@testbear6869]

I never sumo because I always thought it looked stupid. And the ab and spinal erector strength from conventional always appealed to me. But if it can help my lifting I suppose it's worth a shot

[@codybloomfield6498]

Haven’t even watch the video yet. Heard the intro song and immediately clicked the like button

[@leebelk4549]

I’m not saying sumo is bad or cheating-I’ve tried it and I can certainly say that it gave me no advantage whatsoever. That being said, I do think that the sport is evolving. Look at the breaststroke in swimming: in the early stages of the sport, some swimmers discovered that keeping their arms straight and throwing them from behind their shoulders over the water was faster than the conventional breaststroke. This strange yet fast way of swimming gave birth to the butterfly stroke. I say this not to argue, but to inspire thought. Maybe the rules of powerlifting will change?

[@KBrown92604]

My back rounds on conventional. I use sumo so I dont pressure my back too much and give a 50/50 split-power to legs and back.

[@mirzaammar1909]

hello omar, i have an important question about deadlifting. problem is whenever i perform deadlift, i feel like serious pain in my upper glutes. can u please tell me how to fix it because im not able to deadlift from about 2 weeks

[@UniverseAZ]

Highbar atg, conventional dead and shoulder width bench lets goooo

[@Irrealism]

yes

[@OmarIsuf]

We call this Clarence Kennedy.

[@TheEdwin7199]

Do people have problems with low bar squats?

[@TheEdwin7199]

BalticFin True, I do low bar. But I like high bar since it's better for OHS and I wanna do overhead squats soon. Little weightlifting little powerlifting!!

[@joshjohnston7388]

I'm ok low bar for the extra pounds, but front squat atg for assistance to get that rom.

[@garrettglass2407]

I can pull well over 500 lbs sumo or conventional. I personally like conventional more because i think it’s more fun. Someone who is bad at conventional could easily say conventional is cheating. It all depends on your leverages and what muscles you are stronger with

[@GrungeRockGod]

sumo deadlifts? *snort* *wipe dorrito dust off gut* call me when you are a REAL man

[@getstrongby4038]

Is zydrunas savickas weak?

[@beyondmeaning]

Great content, we need more of this stuff!

[@killerclown3457]

My experience I've tried both sumo is easier an smoother then conventional.

[@Exekutioncro]

And its funny how nobody says low bar squatting is cheating. Why is almoat nobody squatting highbar anymore ? Ppl seem to only have a problem with deadlifts lol

[@Daniel-ii6rq]

They are. A lot less range of motion u can do more weight

[@weightliftingmemes5669]

Well it's not cheating according to the rules, or necessarily stronger for everyone. But it does seem weird to me that you even get the choice. If you are testing peoples strength against each other surely they should be doing the same exercise? Obviously people have different grip widths and stances on bench and squat but they are still basically the same exercise. Sumo and conventional are different enough that you can't really consider them the same lift. It's weird that someone can say they beat you in a competition when you did not even do the same exercise.

[@alexisvnc]

We grow and get used to it. But let's just look at that from this perspective. A completely maximized sumo deadlift like Yury Belkin does IS a a completely different movement than his conventional deadlift. We are comparing his sumo deadlift to some conventional deadlift performed by other lifter in the same meet and both are considered the same movement when in reality it's a completely different movement. But both are compared and judged that way to say who is the winner. The rulebook in powerlifting has a ton of flaws that allows lifters to still follow the rules while maximizing leverages and that gets away from the primary objective which was to test the strength of the upper body (bench), back and legs (squat and deadlift). It became a sport of mastering the movement within the rules rather than becoming stronger in that movement if that makes sense. My 2 cents on that. I will say I'm a big fan of Yury Belkin.

[@t.durham6251]

Anyone who can SUMO pull 800+ lbs can also pull a substantial amount conventional also, probably pretty close to the sumo number. This is why the whole argument is pointless because these freaks can pull in the 800-900s with both sumo and conventional extremely efficient. Yes pulling sumo will yield higher numbers, but it’s not like they pull 800 sumo and 405 conventional. Example Cailer Woolam.

[@deadcakesandpanlifts2019]

At least they should make a rule that doesnt allow sumo pullers to have their feet closer than a feet to the plates

[@klalakomacoi]

In the context of the sport of competitive powerlifting calling it "cheating" is essentially meaningless. It's like saying the goalkeeper being able to touch the ball in Association Football is cheating, or that passing the ball forward from behind the line of scrimmage in another code of football is cheating. If you want to say that conventional deadlifting is a better excercise for GPP/strength development then that's another matter, but this discussion can be had without the unecessarily emotive and ultimately useless word "cheating".

[@OmarIsuf]

Bingo.

[@liveslowlivesimple]

i love how omar looks at boris and shakes his head as if he understands russian

[@Dyldayas24]

sumo isn't cheating I just think it allows shorter limbed powerlifters who have good squats and bench's to do well in deadlifts too

[@itskevinh]

if sumo is cheating due to the reason it decreases ROM then is wide grip bench and wide stance squats cheating too??? Same concept applies to this as they decrease ROM.

[@clap5]

I pull conventional in practice but I do sumo for accessory work. I find it easier to pull sumo but it doesn't translate as well as conventional when it comes to doing my weightlifting. Altho weight lifting DLs are slightly different then conventional DLs but but far different then sumo DLs. Imagine trying to do a clean in a sumo stance.

[@miguelrosas9882]

You have a video saying how to cheat with sumo??!!

[@moneytimesfifteen]

Competitive powerlifters should do whatever they're stronger with, try to exploit the rules as much as possible, get two white lights on every attempt, and leave no pounds on the platform. But still, if someone asks what a deadlift is you'll tell them "There's a barbell on the ground, grab it in your hands and stand up." We all know what standing means, so a conventional deadlift is always going to be more respected, pound for pound.

[@monkeydoublebackflips240]

How did Dr Mike learn Russian ?

[@BackTwoBaySix]

Omar where did you get your purple jeans from!

[@OmarIsuf]

H&M

[@BackTwoBaySix]

Thanks!