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Kettlebell Sumo Deadlift
A wide-stance hinge with a single bell between the feet, usually raised on a block. The shortest, most forgiving way to teach a deadlift.
- 01Set the bell on a block or a pair of plates so it sits above mid-shin, and stand over it with a wide stance, toes turned slightly out.
- 02Push the hips back and reach down with a flat back — the knees bend as a consequence, not first.
- 03Take the handle with both hands, pull the slack out, and set the chest.
- 04Stand up by driving the floor away and squeezing the glutes at the top, then hinge back down to the block.
- 01Hips back before the knees bend.
- 02Long spine — the back does not round to reach the bell.
- 03Finish standing tall, not leaning back.
- 01Squatting the weight up instead of hinging, which is the most common way this becomes a quad exercise.
- 02Starting from the floor before the hinge is clean — raise the bell until it is.
- 03Leaning back at the top and hyperextending the lower back to prove the rep finished.
Note: Reference material, not a prescription. Load, volume and whether this movement suits you at all depends on your assessment — if something hurts, stop and get it looked at.