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Deadlifts/Squats

Sixguns

Sixguns

Platinum Member
Could adding these two to my workout plan really make this big of a change?

Ive added them both about a month or so ago and I feel just solid everywhere now. I know there is more to it like with my recent job change. I no longer sit behind a desk and now work 12 hour shifts at an oil refinery. I spend pretty much all day on my feet/climbing/riding a bike. I have also been able to commit myself a lot more at the gym with more time. But I really noticed the difference over the past few weeks once I added these two.
 
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Sixguns said:
Could adding these two to my workout plan really make this big of a change?

Ive added them both about a month or so ago and I feel just solid everywhere now. I know there is more to it like with my recent job change. I no longer sit behind a desk and now work 12 hour shifts at an oil refinery. I spend pretty much all day on my feet/climbing/riding a bike. I have also been able to commit myself a lot more at the gym with more time. But I really noticed the difference over the past few weeks once I added these two.
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Yes it will make a difference but I think the fact that you are much more consistent is also a huge factor.

Squats and Deadlifts require a lot of big muscle groups to do them.

Koing
 
Squat is the king of exercises by a wide margin IMO. Deadlift probably second. Third bench.
Really the only weight lifting exercises I do anymore besides pull ups.
 
OILFIELDTRASH said:
Squat is the king of exercises by a wide margin IMO. Deadlift probably second. Third bench.
Really the only weight lifting exercises I do anymore besides pull ups.
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Agree, except I would argue that the press or the powerclean (or any olympic lift/power variation) is third. Bench is important though.

I think of it this way, squats hit your legs like a ton of bricks, and your back a little bit too. Deadlifts hit your back like a ton of bricks, and your legs a little bit too. Strengthen them a little bit (200 squat, 300 DL) and you'll be stronger than most of the population. Strengthen them a lot (400 squat, 500 DL), as some members here have, and you'll be brutally strong.
 
I love both, but I don't think a person will really miss a lot as far as developement is concerned if they don't deadlift. Now let me be very clear I am a very good deadlifter and I love the excercise, but in all honesty, a person could do without it and not miss a thing. Squatting is the grand daddy of them all though. I think benching is second.
 
classy said:
I love both, but I don't think a person will really miss a lot as far as developement is concerned if they don't deadlift. Now let me be very clear I am a very good deadlifter and I love the excercise, but in all honesty, a person could do without it and not miss a thing. Squatting is the grand daddy of them all though. I think benching is second.
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If that's true deadlifting should be eliminated from the workout. Deadlifts are by far the most taxing lifts, and recovering from them can impact performance on other lifts if you don't manage your workouts correctly.

The reason people still deadlift is because it's not true. No other exercise, including the squat, works the erector muscles in the back nearly as well, and those are very important muscles.
 
Deadlift is important. I'll admit my weight lifting routine has been lacking for the last couple years. I really have been using my free time playing basketball,bicycling, and running. My squatting has been semi consistent but my deads haven't been at all. So right now I'm maxing 330 squat and 280 deadlift. So yes squat will keep your back strong but it cannot replace the strength the dead will do for your back. I agree with above poster about the deads being the only exercise that hits those erectors correctly.
 
Blackjack200 said:
If that's true deadlifting should be eliminated from the workout. Deadlifts are by far the most taxing lifts, and recovering from them can impact performance on other lifts if you don't manage your workouts correctly.

The reason people still deadlift is because it's not true. No other exercise, including the squat, works the erector muscles in the back nearly as well, and those are very important muscles.
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I have this argument a lot. A person can live without the deadlift, period. I did not say they are have no value, I said that when it comes to overall development, you can do without them. And I can right now flatout go over 540-550 with no straps or chalk. I actually have been working with some guys at the gym to be better deadlifters. I have said many times, the problem with the deadlift, going heavy brings negatives that IMO outweigh the benefits.

Its a huge difference in a person doing 400 and one doing 500. I have also said many times even here, I dont think doing dozens of reps with deadlifts has better benefits than doing single rep heavier deadlifts. There are many other excercises that can hit and develop the back with far less probability of injury.
 
classy said:
I have this argument a lot. A person can live without the deadlift, period. I did not say they are have no value, I said that when it comes to overall development, you can do without them. And I can right now flatout go over 540-550 with no straps or chalk. I actually have been working with some guys at the gym to be better deadlifters. I have said many times, the problem with the deadlift, going heavy brings negatives that IMO outweigh the benefits.

Its a huge difference in a person doing 400 and one doing 500. I have also said many times even here, I dont think doing dozens of reps with deadlifts has better benefits than doing single rep heavier deadlifts. There are many other excercises that can hit and develop the back with far less probability of injury.
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You contradict yourself

going heavy brings negatives that IMO outweigh the benefits.
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or
I dont think doing dozens of reps with deadlifts has better benefits than doing single rep heavier deadlifts.
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?

You can't have both but I would argue that both have a place in any routine. Nothing will tax you more than heavy deadlifts and nothing helps deadlift form like sets of 8-12 at moderate weight. This also assumes you're doing them correctly and not using the bounce to get off the floor easier and you're keeping your form tight throughout. The issue with people and injuries is they get sloppy and/or greedy and their form goes to shit. While you may be able to hit or develop your back without deadlifts none are as effective.
 
Pantlegz said:
You contradict yourself


or
?

You can't have both but I would argue that both have a place in any routine. Nothing will tax you more than heavy deadlifts and nothing helps deadlift form like sets of 8-12 at moderate weight. This also assumes you're doing them correctly and not using the bounce to get off the floor easier and you're keeping your form tight throughout. The issue with people and injuries is they get sloppy and/or greedy and their form goes to shit. While you may be able to hit or develop your back without deadlifts none are as effective.
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No contradiction. The benefits of heavy deadlifts I think bring a lot of injury negatives. But I think a person does better by going heavy doing a lot less reps than doing set after of set of reps.
 
Blackjack200 said:
Nice. People will start watching you lift as the weight goes up on the deadlift. :thumbsup:
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You're lifting for the wrong reasons if that's important to you. I lift alone in my shop. The only time you'll notice my workout routine is on the basketball court when I blow by you or out jump you for the rebound.
 
Good job on the deads/squats. They are both great exercises and squats just brutalize you in a good way.

Yesterday I decided to go much lower than usual on my squats. I had 225 on for a couple sets then bumped up to 245. Getting lower engaged my upper hammies and lower butt a lot more. My spotter said I was a good amount lower than parallel and it felt GREAT. There was a minor natural bounce at the bottom of the rep where my hips/butt felt like they handled the bounce instead of my legs. So overall I am way happier with my squats now.
 
One thing, you're going to have to spread out your squats and deads more as you get heavier. I do either squats or deads every 4-7 days. So I'll go sometimes up to 2 weeks between squat sessions and likewise for deads.

I LOVE to add in some heavy farmers walks after either one as well. Does absolute wonders for grip, forearms, and traps. Olympic good mornings are another amazing assist lift to incorporate.

One last tip is that a vast majority of lifters and trainers agree that you shouldn't be doing more than sets of 5 while deadlift, and most heavy lifters do singles, doubles, and triples at most. Strains the CNS quite a bit. Get your form right, and add 10 lbs each week, whether your body can handle more or not. Slow increase, let your body get used to it. I've hurt myself not listening to this advice.

Edit - I have been on a great 3 times a week squat program though too. If I didn't have to run with the Army I'd have more ability to do more, just depends on your body.
 
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Did 215 deadlifts the other night. Way to many people in the gym who all wanted to talk and run around. Felt like I was in high school. Moving a long nicely.
 
Sixguns said:
Did 215 deadlifts the other night. Way to many people in the gym who all wanted to talk and run around. Felt like I was in high school. Moving a long nicely.
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I really dislike those types of people. I don't go to the gym to make friends or pretend I'm at a social gathering. And no, I don't give a crap about what tattoo you are thinking about getting or what you think about mine. I do like that the gym I go to is full of rich, snobby white people who disapprove of anyone with tattoos though. They just turn their nose up and leave me alone. >_>
 
Sixguns said:
Could adding these two to my workout plan really make this big of a change?
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Absolutely. And, do yourself a favor and go over to MobilityWOD.com and let K. Starr and Carl Paoli teach you about joint torque and how to achieve full range of motion.

When you do that your fitness level and overall well being will improve dramatically.
 
My 2c about squats and deadlifts: no matter what majority of people (not here, in general) say or think, you do want to spend a few bucks on a few hours with a personal trainer (real one, not that type that tells women how to do rows with 1kg dumbbells or how to run on a treadmill) who will teach you correct technique. It's SO easy to do it wrong, because common sense says "wtf it's just a squat, just go down", but in this case it does not apply.
 
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