Should you arch your low back at DL's starting position?

[arkwok1209]

Recently switched back to conventional from sumo
In sumo i pretty much keep my low back neutral
But in conventional do i have to arch my low back? I heard that the more arched it is, the more you can feel your hamstring stretching and hence a more powerful contraction?
Or i should just try to keep it neutral?
I tried today keeping it neutral by arching my low back while contracting my abs hard, but after the bar came off the floor my low back got rounded
What should i do to prevent it?

By arch here I mean to arch as much as we could on the setup
I know we should not over arch at the lockout, but I'm not sure about the setup.
It seems that even if you over arch your low back, as you lower and stick out your hips, that over-arch will automatically be corrected to a neutral one, so we should try to over arch our low back on DL set up right? Thank you very much

[dmacdonal9]

I think an arched back at the bottom (if you have the flexibility to do so, most don't) just makes hyperextension more likely in the lockout. Probably not the best cue.

The other problem is that it will likely force your hips lower and shins forward, making a vertical bar path impossible (it'll be more of a J shape to clear the shins).

[lee__d]

If it helps keep the back neutral throughout the movement, then it's a good cue. Once you get into heavier weights, it's unlikely that you'll be maintaining an arch throughout, so starting with one shouldn't induce any hyperextension.

[bucsdodgers]

Say with me "no!" keep proper form even if its light weight.

[javin86]

No. You should be striving to maintain a neutral spine. Excessive lordosis in the lumbar spine leads to reduced activation of the glutes.

[IDrinkBloodLOL]

Personally I prefer a slight arch to mine. It just makes sense to me looking at the mechanics of the movement, and I don't generally get back problems from deadlifting.

I have in the past tweaked things by overarching, so there is an intermediate to be found.

[mtownballer20]

Try to keep it as neutral as possible but don't let it round.