Barbell Single Leg Deadlift

A unilateral hinge movement for the posterior chain. It builds balance, ankle stability, and fixes hamstring imbalances.

Exercise Details

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

Setup

Stand on one leg holding a barbell. Maintain a slight bend in the supporting knee and brace your core.

Instructions

1. Hinge forward while extending the non-supporting leg behind you.
2. Keep your back flat and hips square to the floor.
3. Lower the bar toward the ground.
4. Drive through the heel to stand.
5. Control the tempo.

Common Mistakes

1. Rounding the back.
2. Rotating the hips open.
3. Losing balance.

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.
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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.
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