The cheaper, bright zinc ones you find online are okay for lighter work, but I've seen a number of them getting bent in the schools I visit. You'll also want to keep in mind how long the sleeve is, as those same ones have shallow sleeves, making it tougher to load the weight you want, especially if you're using bumpers with it.  

 

Deadlifting with the straght bar will cause discomfort on occasion.  Esp when several reps are involved.  singles LY didnt bother it all.  RDL's, GM's, and anything that resembles bent over rows usually are bad as well.  I have stayed away from these.

 

I still want to deadlift with a straight bar, but want it to be for singles and doubles towards the end of strength phases.  The hex bar would be for rep work to supplement the time in between.  This is my thought process at the moment anyways.

 

 

That says it all.  No high reps.  High reps on the deadlift are totally unneeded.

What you are suggesting is perfect.  Use various different lifts to improve the deadlift.  Stay away from GMs and stuff like that if it hurts, but do your squatting, hex bar DLs, whatever.  It'll work if you are putting the effort in.  As I am sure you know, Louie Simmons has written volumes on this.  Even if people disagree with his principles (I don't), he still has a great many things you can learn from.

 

Then I get into 5x5's and eventually 5x3's.  I though sub max work was where its at for gaining strength.

 

I only did singles for a small window of time. I pulled PR's for 3 weeks straight, then had my best game ever two weeks later...

 

Then like a dummy, I backed off.

1) Training for a strongman contest where an event was...deadlift for reps

2) Just for sh*ts and giggles on odd days where I am bored and wanted to do something different.  Like the day I just decided I wanted to see how many reps I could get with 630.  lol.

I truly believe that high volume work can have its place in a lot of lifts.  Just not the oly ones, or the deadlift.

 

now to find a bar...

 

I wish i had a decade+ of lifting so I would've figured this shit out a long time ago lol.

 

As for the planks, yes you did and yes I do...often.

I didn't discount it. I know that's what he said. I'm fine with that, but if injury becomes a concern, I'd encourage him to explore other options. I did and found it to work. Does that mean it will be a good move or option for Nate? Nope. Not at all. I can only speak for myself. Just wanted to share my experience.

We don't throw anything from the floor, rather, much is in the power position, so that's why I program more of my time there over other movements (hang snatch, hang clean).

Throw in a greater risk for injury and pain, and it was a no-brainer for me to drop the deads and full cleans. Not telling Nate to do that, but as he gets along further in the sport and injuries or pain stacks up, it might be worth experimenting with. 

I think this is what you wanted 

I'm the worst 

Dan, Jake - awesome throwers and are stating less pulling

Craig, Ryan Stewart, Matso - awesome throwers who like to pull

Vierra - awesome thrower who says to do hex bar power shrugs.

I am sure I could keep going on.

But...what do ALL of these guys have in common...they are strong as hell.  Dan doesn't deadlift, but I would guarantee you he can pull a good amount of weight.  Sully, Craig, Stew...we have all seen their vids.  They are big pullers.  Strong dudes.

I would argue at some point...NOT deadlifting (for instance) won't hurt you in the Games if you have a good deadlift.  But if you lack some of those years "in the trenches" that Nate mentioned, doing those heavy compound lifts will help you much more.

Taking myself for example...I got Dan's book in Pleasanton.  I have read it cover to cover many times.  Great book.  He has interesting training methodologies.  I have even considered trying out some of them out as I felt that deadlifting, at times, wears me down more than helps me.  But I also pull over 700#.  How much do you really need to deadlift for it to make you a better thrower?  

I believe I can personally throw far without deadlifting because I am already a good deadlifter.  But it doesn't mean or suggest that deadlifting is not important to throw far.

I did about three weeks of deads once, back in 2005 or 2006. I worked up to a heavy single at 500 ... with straps ... convulsing and blacking out as I pulled it. So, while I wish I had a big dead at one time or that I could pull a lot now, I know I can't. I also have the grip strength of a little girl.

But, I get what you're saying and appreciate the compliment. 

Great discussion! Nate, good topic ... I'm sure you meant it to morph into this!

I mean, it is the Russians...

I like the trap bar lots.  But I like going heavy all of the time.  I need the variety.  I like to rotate front squats/trapbar dl/back squats/top-down DL's as my weekly main lift.  But, then again, I'm a poorly shaved ape, and notsomuch a thrower. 

Nothing wrecks me like reps in the real lifts (squats/deads/cleans/snatches/anything overhead).  

A downside to the trap bar is running out of space on the bar.  So, you gotta have 100's handy or be willing to stack dumbells onto the bar like a moron.

Also, I think many try to look for "the Way" from others when the way is within yourself. What can you and what will you do. Everyone is different in how they are built, quick twitch, slow twitch, levers, height, weight, injuries etc.

The Deadlift question has been one that has been around for a long time. You look at some of the top WOB guys and they deadlift, then you look at other top guys like when Matt S. hit 18' on a knock off bar and he didn't pull from the floor. Several guys throwing 16' + don't pull from the floor.