the hinges in sword. not always a deadlift variation.

Looking at the word hinge in sword workouts may make you nervous. Shit bro, it makes me nervous. The idea of doing light deadlifts dynamic kettlebell work doesn't sound too batman for someone recovering from a back injury. Here's the rub. You can and should hinge every God damn day, but hinging does not need to mean axial loading.

Examples of hinging with load

Romanian dead

Dead

Sumo dead

Power clean

Swings

Snatches 

Landmine dead

Landmine clean 

One arm deadlift

Kickstand deadlift

Windmill

Mace deadlift

And examples without loading

Pigeon pose ground or elevated

Staggered hinge against rack

Kickstand deadlift

Windmill

Nordic

Hamstring reach (turn stretch into strength movement)

Elephant walk

All of these unweighted movements can be both strength and mobility. Even if they are regressed, weight can be added for extra tension once tissue health isn't a factor.

Net net, hinging does not have to be scary.