All Exercises

Sumo Deadlift High Pull

Master the Sumo Deadlift High Pull for a powerful full-body workout. This dynamic exercise builds strength in glutes, quads, hamstrings, and shoulders for

Advanced
Compound
Pull
1 min per set2 min rest

Description

A variant of the conventional deadlift, Sumo Deadlift High Pull is a full body exercise that targets the traps, quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteus muscles, the lower back, forearms and the biceps.

How to Do Sumo Deadlift High Pull

  1. 1
    Setup

    Stand with your feet significantly wider than shoulder-width apart, toes pointed out at a 45-degree angle, with the barbell positioned directly over your mid-foot.

  2. 2
    Setup

    Hinge at your hips and bend your knees to grasp the barbell with an overhand grip, hands inside your knees and slightly narrower than shoulder-width apart.

  3. 3
    Setup

    Lower your hips until your thighs are roughly parallel to the floor, ensuring your chest is up, shoulders are back, core is engaged, and your back remains straight.

  4. 4

    Drive through your heels, extending your hips and knees simultaneously to lift the bar off the floor; as the bar passes your knees, explosively pull it upward.

  5. 5

    Continue the explosive pull by shrugging your shoulders and bending your elbows, keeping the bar close to your body and pulling it to chest height with elbows pointing up and out.

  6. 6

    Control the descent by reversing the movement, lowering the bar back to the floor with a controlled hinge at the hips and bend in the knees, maintaining a straight back.

Tips

  • Maintain a neutral spine throughout the entire movement, from the initial lift off to the controlled descent, to protect your lower back.
  • Initiate the pull from the floor primarily with your legs and hips, generating maximum power before your arms engage in the high pull phase.
  • Keep the barbell as close to your body as possible during the high pull to maintain leverage and minimize strain on your shoulders.
  • Focus on a continuous, explosive movement from the floor to the high pull, thinking of it as one fluid motion rather than two separate exercises.

Common Mistakes

  • ×Rounding the back during the lift can lead to injury; ensure you engage your core and keep your chest up to maintain a neutral spine.
  • ×Pulling with the arms too early reduces the power generated from your lower body; drive through your legs and hips first, then follow with the shrug and arm pull.
  • ×Allowing the bar to swing away from your body during the high pull decreases efficiency and increases shoulder strain; keep the bar path vertical and close to your torso.

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