Conspiracy Theory: The Sumo Deadlift High Pull

The world of CrossFit declares 9-foundational movements. Most of them (except for the medball clean, which is simply a precursor to the barbell clean) speak for themselves; except one. 

The sumo deadlift high pull (also known as, SDHP) made the foundational list, but it continues to not make the list when coaches around the world are making movement selections for programs. 

The dynamic variation of the sumo deadlift that includes a high pull of the barbell to above the sternum (with elbows high and outside) is justified by CrossFit for its ability to demonstrate and develop work capacity across broad time and modal domains largely because of its emphasis on expressing work from core to extremely through a large range of motion. 

The conspiracy theory way of looking at this is simple.

I’ve always said, CrossFit needed another pulling exercise that could be measured well enough to put on a whiteboard in their work capacity-based worldview of fitness. This means the bent row (a much better pulling exercise) isn’t eligible because of its characteristics that make it a less straightforward way of measuring work. 

Ironically, when it comes to the training community the “fitness” of the sumo deadlift high pull to be selected for tests of fitness and training sessions is demonstratively less than the other foundational moments. 

If you’ve ever wondered why you don’t see the letters SDHP on the whiteboard, this is why.