Sumo Deadlift vs Pistol Squat

Maximizing Your Leg Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Sumo Deadlift more often — 1,150 sessions vs 86. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

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

Planfit Users' Choice about Sumo Deadlift vs Pistol Squat : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Sumo Deadlift more often — 1,150 sessions compared to 86 for Pistol Squat.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Sumo Deadlift and Pistol Squat 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 Pistol Squat Differ

What differsSumo DeadliftPistol Squat
Muscles workedglutes, back, quads, and hamstringsquads, hamstrings, and glutes
Equipmenta barbellbodyweight only
One side at a timeNoYes
Difficulty4 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users1,150 sessions86 sessions

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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 Pistol Squat

Pistol Squat gif

Pistol Squat muscles worked: Leg

Form

  1. 1. Lower your leg lifted off the ground until it is parallel to the floor.
  2. 2. As your hips rise, straighten your knees and hip joints in sequence, and return to the starting position.
  3. 3. Proceed one side at a time or alternately.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to excessively lean your upper body forward.
  2. 2. Keep your chest up and engage your core to avoid bending your waist.
  3. 3. Don't excessively bend your waist while trying to keep it straight.
  4. 4. Please do not stick your hips too far back.
  5. 5. Make sure your feet do not come off the ground.
  6. 6. When standing up, please ensure your knees do not come together.

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

Do you want to know more about Pistol Squat methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Leg, Sumo Deadlift or Pistol Squat?

Planfit users log Sumo Deadlift more often — 1,150 sessions against 86 for Pistol Squat. Both train Leg, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

Do Sumo Deadlift and Pistol Squat work the same muscles?

Not quite. Sumo Deadlift loads glutes, back, quads, and hamstrings, and Pistol Squat loads quads, hamstrings, and glutes.

What equipment do Sumo Deadlift and Pistol Squat need?

Sumo Deadlift needs a barbell, and Pistol Squat needs bodyweight only.

Which is easier to start with?

Sumo Deadlift is the easier place to start. Move to Pistol Squat once your form holds up.

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