This is unquestionably the most movement-specific supplementary exercise for the sumo deadlift. It helps to improve:
Muscular strength
Muscular hypertrophy
Muscular endurance
Upper back strength
Grip strength
Lat recruitment
Lockout speed/strength
Generally speaking, train it once per week during any given 3-6 week cycle. Sets and reps can range from 8-15+ depending on your individual needs and goals. Obviously low(er) rep ranges lend themselves better to strength development whereas high(er) rep ranges tend to be better for muscular hypertrophy and endurance.
Five wins by TKO, four wins by submission, three wins by decision... and a single loss to Matt Hughes by armbar in his first title fight. It's that last one that haunts Spike athlete Georges "Rush" St-Pierre.
You multitaskers out there will love this movement as it allows you to work the rectus abdominis, the obliques, and the serratus at the same time. Too bad the rest of your life isn't as efficient.
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