The barbell sumo deadlift from blocks is a variation that emphasizes the posterior chain while allowing for a more upright torso position. This exercise is performed with the barbell elevated on blocks, which can help improve your range of motion and technique.
- Stand with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart and your toes pointed slightly outward.
- Position the barbell over the midfoot, ensuring it is on the blocks.
- Bend at the hips and knees to grip the barbell with both hands inside your legs.
- Engage your core, lift your chest, and push through your heels to stand up, extending your hips and knees simultaneously.
- Lower the barbell back to the blocks with control, maintaining a flat back throughout the movement.
How to perform the Barbell Sumo Deadlift from Blocks
- Set up. Set up in a stable, balanced starting position appropriate for the Barbell Sumo Deadlift from Blocks using your barbell.
- Brace and execute. Brace your core, control the descent, and move through a full pain-free range of motion while emphasizing your glutes.
- Reset. Reverse the movement under control and reset between repetitions, keeping your form crisp on every rep.
Coaching cues
- Move with intent — every rep should feel deliberate, not rushed.
- Drive force through your glutes rather than momentum.
- Keep your breathing steady: exhale on the hard part, inhale on the reset.
Common mistakes
- Using too much weight and losing positional control.
- Cutting the range of motion short and missing the target muscle.
- Letting your spine round or hyperextend instead of staying neutral.
Detailed cues, common mistakes, and demonstration video are available in the Fitly app.
Build a free routine
Stage exercises here, then sign up to save them as a real Fitly routine — synced to web and mobile.
View staged routine (0)Related exercises
Barbell 2 3 Deadlift
The Barbell 2 3 Deadlift is a strength exercise that targets the posterior chain, including the hamstrings, glutes, a…
Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl
1. Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. 2. Hold a barbell in both hands with an underhand grip, pal…
Barbell Anderson Squat
The Barbell Anderson Squat is a variation of the squat that emphasizes strength in the starting position.Set a barbel…
Barbell Back Wide Shrug
The Barbell Back Wide Shrug targets the upper trapezius muscles to enhance shoulder strength and stability.Stand with…
Barbell Band Assisted Deadlift
Perform the barbell band assisted deadlift to enhance your deadlifting technique and strength.Set up a barbell on the…
Barbell Banded Bench Press
The barbell banded bench press enhances your bench press by adding accommodating resistance through bands.Set up a be…
Barbell Banded Bench Squat
The Barbell Banded Bench Squat combines the benefits of a squat with added resistance from bands, targeting the lower…
Barbell Banded Romanian Deadlift
The Barbell Banded Romanian Deadlift targets the hamstrings, glutes, and lower back. This exercise incorporates bands…