Kettlebell Suitcase Deadlift

A unilateral deadlift that targets the legs and core. Holding the weight on one side forces the obliques to resist lateral flexion.

Exercise Details

Level
Intermediate
Body Area
lower
Type
hinge
Mechanics
Compound
Required Equipment
Target Muscle Groups
Primary
Secondary

Setup

Place the kettlebell on the floor to the outside of your foot. Stand with feet hip-width apart and neutral spine.

Instructions

1. Hinge and grip the handle with one hand.
2. Drive through the feet to stand up.
3. Keep your torso perfectly vertical without leaning.
4. Lower back down with control.
5. Switch sides.

Common Mistakes

1. Leaning toward the weight.
2. Rounding the back.
3. Shrugging the shoulder.

Alternative Exercises

Sumo Deadlift
Intermediate / Barbell / Hamstrings / hinge
A deadlift variation that targets the glutes and adductors. The wide stance allows for a more upright torso, making it ideal for those with long limbs.
View more
Side Split Squat
Intermediate / Barbell / Glutes / squat
Targets the quads, glutes, and adductors from a lateral split stance. It improves frontal plane stability and corrects lower-body imbalances.
View more

Explore by Muscle Groups

Explore by Equipment