Sumo Deadlift vs Backward Lunge

Maximizing Your Leg Workout Plan

Contents

Backward Lunge is the easier place to start — difficulty 2 of 5 vs 4. Compare Leg form cues and when to progress.

Customize Your Leg Workout: Explore the Benefits of Sumo Deadlift and Backward Lunge for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Sumo Deadlift vs Backward Lunge : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Backward Lunge more often — 1,292 sessions compared to 1,150 for Sumo Deadlift.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Sumo Deadlift and Backward Lunge differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Sumo Deadlift and Backward Lunge Differ

What differsSumo DeadliftBackward Lunge
Muscles workedglutes, back, quads, and hamstringsglutes, quads, and hamstrings
Equipmenta barbellbodyweight only
One side at a timeNoYes
Difficulty4 of 52 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users1,150 sessions1,292 sessions

Related comparisons

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How to Sumo Deadlift

Sumo Deadlift gif

Sumo Deadlift muscles worked: Leg

Form

  1. 1. Move your hips back while lifting the barbell forward.
  2. 2. Push against the floor and apply pressure to the center of your feet.
  3. 3. When you are fully upright, puff out your chest and contract your entire posterior.
  4. 4. Move your hips back again and bend your knees to return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please keep your chest open so that your shoulders do not hunch forward.
  2. 2. Engage your core to prevent your lower back from rounding.
  3. 3. Be careful not to let your knees collapse inward when standing up.
  4. 4. Do not excessively arch your back while trying to keep it straight.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Sumo Deadlift, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Sumo Deadlift Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Sumo Deadlift methods?Exercise Guide

How to Backward Lunge

Backward Lunge gif

Backward Lunge muscles worked: Leg

Form

  1. 1. Step back with one foot and raise the heel of that foot.
  2. 2. Lower yourself until the angle of both knees is 90 degrees.
  3. 3. Keep your chest open and your back straight as you return to the starting position.
  4. 4. Repeat the same with the opposite leg.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to lean your upper body forward.
  2. 2. When bending your knees, please ensure that the knee of the foot you step forward with does not go beyond the foot.
  3. 3. Please make sure that your center of gravity does not lean too far forward.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Backward Lunge, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Backward Lunge Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Backward Lunge methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Leg, Sumo Deadlift or Backward Lunge?

Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Leg, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

Do Sumo Deadlift and Backward Lunge work the same muscles?

Not quite. Sumo Deadlift loads glutes, back, quads, and hamstrings, and Backward Lunge loads glutes, quads, and hamstrings.

What equipment do Sumo Deadlift and Backward Lunge need?

Sumo Deadlift needs a barbell, and Backward Lunge needs bodyweight only.

Which is easier to start with?

Backward Lunge is the easier place to start. Move to Sumo Deadlift once your form holds up.

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