ive always trained deads that way over the past 21yrs mate, advised to me by one of N Ireland's veteran plifters. Ive tried every week also and I do go stale within 6wks (even on cycle) an dont progress much, if any at all, but if i go every 2wks then i can pretty much hit hard and heavy all year round (competition peaking is obviously diff, although im going to adopt a 12wk peak next time and just dead every 2wks, as an experiment).
deads are an all out low rep heavy exercise and alot of recovery is needed, esp when you consider your squatting every week. deads always stay with you if you keep everything else ticking over, ive had up to 2mth lay offs from deads but within 2wks i'll always be back up nailing all out 4reps again.
i never have or never will use lifting straps, my torso would tear off before my grip would give
example of my current dead session is:
60 x 8
100 x 6
140 x 6
160 x 4
180 x 4
200 x 3
220 x 3
240 x 6 ( if i feel another 2reps i'll hit them)
if still feeling good i'll work on to 250 x 3 and 260 x 3 (rarely feel that spectacular though lol)
if i were doing that every week alongside my leg training, i'd be bolloxed
i only go to singles when peaking for a comp mate and if you follow an every 2wks format, you'll be able to keep pounding it all year round without loads and deloads. also, deads dont lend themselves very well to high reps and drop sets, you're inviting a back injury in by doing that. keep the fancy stuff to your assistant exercises.
