Anything you can pull sldl you can, by default, pull conventional.
I prefer the sldl, and am all for using it as the primary.
To me the deadlift is best done, in no particular order, as an sldl, a snatch grip sldl, or as a snatch grip deadlift.
I too prefer an axle to a barbell.
Treat the movement as a health lift moreso than as a lift.
I suggest only pulling double overhand.
Deadlifting in the smith machine, when I hit my power clean PR, and a 30 rep deadlift phase all have taught me the value of light to moderate loads.
In the smith machine with just insane levels of muscular activation, really locked in – letting the frame work for me – going with it – allowing me to pull firstly backwards and secondly upwards, again just locked in being one with the machine…I pulled my first 495 deadlift in years (raw, mixed, conventional) after anywhere from 3-15 sets of 2-4 reps at, I kid you not, generally 2p, maybe 2p10, sometimes 1p25, firing everything so hard that I’d be damn near falling over, looking punch drunk, appearing out on my feet from the thing.
Power cleaning 275 for the first time was done after lots of crisp singles at 225lbs, a moderate load.
Firstly I pulled 30 reps at a weight in as few sets as possible.
Once I pulled it as a straight set I upped the weight a little.
This is an amazing approach all around – strength, endurance, work capacity, fitness.
A guideline for what I’m starting with a 205lb sldl right now.
I’d been needing more pulling than just a clean into my press sets.
There is no reason not to have pull centric lifting programing.
As I intend to be sldl centric, the front squat is a good idea as the sldl is a more posterior chain deadlift variant – conventional makes use of more legs.
And again – pull double overhand.
Persistence & Tenacity
the hu – wolf totem