How to Do One-Arm Side Deadlift
Start and end of one clean rep of One-Arm Side Deadlift.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Quads |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | Core, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Back |
| Equipment | Barbell |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform One-Arm Side Deadlift
- Stand to the side of a barbell next to its center. Bend your knees and lower your body until you are able to reach the barbell.
- Grasp the bar as if you were grabbing a briefcase (palms facing you since the bar is sideways). You may need a wrist wrap if you are using a significant amount of weight. This is your starting position.
- Use your legs to help lift the barbell up while exhaling. Your arms should extend fully as bring the barbell up until you are in a standing position.
- Slowly bring the barbell back down while inhaling. Tip: Make sure to bend your knees while lowering the weight to avoid any injury from occurring.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
- Switch arms and repeat the movement.
Muscles worked
- Quads (primary): extends the knee to drive squats, lunges and jumps.
- Core (secondary): braces the trunk and resists twisting to protect the spine.
- Calves (secondary): points the foot to power push-off and steady the ankle.
- Glutes (secondary): extends and stabilises the hip — the engine behind hinges, squats and sprints.
- Hamstrings (secondary): bends the knee and extends the hip through hinges and pulls.
- Back (secondary): pulls the arms down and toward the torso and keeps the spine stable.
Sets & reps by goal
| Goal | Sets × reps | Load | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3–5 × 3–5 | Heavy (~85%+) | 2–3 min |
| Hypertrophy | 3–4 × 8–12 | Moderate (~65–75%) | 60–90 s |
| Endurance | 2–3 × 15–20 | Lighter (~50–60%) | 30–45 s |
Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
Form tips
- Keep the knees tracking in line with the toes and push the whole foot into the floor.
- Keep the bar path close and stacked over your mid-foot; letting it drift forward wastes force and loads the lower back.
- Treat every rep the same — a repeatable setup and bar path is what lets you add weight safely over time.
- Breathe out on the effort and in on the return, keeping one steady rhythm across the set.
Common mistakes
- Letting the knees cave inward as you push out of the bottom.
- Loading the bar heavier than your form allows and turning strict reps into a whole-body heave.
- Chasing weight jumps before the current load feels solid on every rep.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does One-Arm Side Deadlift work?
One-Arm Side Deadlift mainly works the quads, with the core, calves, glutes, hamstrings, back helping as secondary movers.
What equipment do I need for One-Arm Side Deadlift?
One-Arm Side Deadlift needs a barbell and plates (plus a rack or bench where the movement calls for one).
How many sets and reps should I do for One-Arm Side Deadlift?
It depends on your goal: about 3–5 sets of 3–5 heavy reps for strength, 3–4 sets of 8–12 for muscle growth, or 2–3 sets of 15–20 for endurance. Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
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