How to perform Barbell Sumo Deadlift with proper form
Starting Position
- Stance: Stand with feet wider than shoulder-width and toes pointed slightly outward.
- Bar Position: Position the barbell over the midfoot.
Grip
- Hand Placement: Bend at the hips and knees to lower down. Use a mixed grip (one palm facing you, one facing away) or a double overhand grip.
- Shoulder Position: Keep your shoulders slightly in front of the bar.
Execution
- Engage Core: Tighten your core and maintain a neutral spine.
- Pull: Drive through your heels, extend your legs, and lift the bar by thrusting your hips forward.
- Stand Tall: Fully extend your hips and knees at the top of the lift, keeping your shoulders back.
Lowering the Bar
- Hinge at the Hips: Push your hips back while keeping the bar close to your body.
- Bend Knees: Once the bar passes your knees, bend your knees to lower it to the ground.
Tips
- Maintain a flat back throughout the movement.
- Avoid rounding your shoulders.
- Keep your weight distributed evenly across your feet.
Common Mistakes
- Allowing shoulders to drop too far down.
- Overextending at the top.
- Letting the bar drift away from the body during the lift.
By following these steps, you can perform the Barbell Sumo Deadlift with proper form to maximize effectiveness and minimize the risk of injury.
Exercises

Box Squat, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Calves

Box Squat, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Calves

Cable Pull Through, Cable
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings

Clean, Barbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Push
Target: Glutes, Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Back, Shoulders
Synergist: Calves, Biceps, Chest, Forearms

Clean and Jerk, Barbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Push
Target: Glutes, Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Back, Shoulders
Synergist: Calves, Biceps, Chest, Forearms

Deadlift, Barbell
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Calves

Deadlift, Cable
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Calves

Deadlift, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Calves

Deadlift, Smith Machine
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Calves

Deadlift, Band
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Calves

Deadlift, Kettlebell
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Calves

Deadlift, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Calves

Deadlift High Pull, Barbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Pull
Target: Shoulders, Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Biceps, Forearms, Calves, Back

Deficit Deadlift, Barbell
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Back, Quadriceps, Calves

Deficit Deadlift, Trap Bar
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Back, Quadriceps, Calves

Glute Bridge, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Quadriceps

Glute Bridge, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Quadriceps

Glute Bridge, Band
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Quadriceps

Glute Bridge March, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Abs
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps

Glute Kickback, Cable
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings
