Are squats & deadlifts really good for bodybuilding?
I was reading about the old school Bulgarian weightlifters and it struck me as odd that even though their main (maybe even only) exercises were squats and deadlifts - their backs and legs weren't really that big. Yes, they were strong as bulls, but as far as building bigger muscle - not much.
And from all the training videos I've seen of the big names in BB, yes, they would do a couple of sets of squads, but would really hit their legs hard on the machines. Some of them don't even do deadlifts that often/at all, as far as the vids I've seen.
inb4 - a lot of BB with big legs do squads but they also do a lot of other leg exercises.
So are the squads and deadlifts really good for building muscle? Here are photos of people doing mainly squads and deadlifts for years:
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You can lose weight but you can't gain common sense - that stuff if genetic!
Actually they mainly did cleans, jerk, and snatches with squats for assistance and very little deadlifting.
Here are two more guys who did a lot of squats and deadlifts:
No doubt, but the point is that they didn't do only squats and deadlifts, correct?
And the Bulgarian weightlifters did mainly squads and deadligts, besides practicing the weightlifting moves. Just look at this mofo squatting and look at the size of his legs.
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You can lose weight but you can't gain common sense - that stuff if genetic!
Don't listen to the trolls above me OP. Squats and deadlifts are completely worthless.
Complete waste of time. Fact.
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Lick me where I shiit - JeannetteEmigh
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Your dumb. - MusclePack (<-- Oh sweet irony)
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Your back is yellow, you can be as buff as you want but you are yellow. You will forever be inferior to me. Lmao yellowback sasquatch. Come at me mr 61k reps, or should I say 60k now that I negged u lmao. - ConstipatedBrah
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Journal: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=126418493
No doubt, but the point is that they didn't do only squats and deadlifts, correct?
And the Bulgarian weightlifters did mainly squads and deadligts, besides practicing the weightlifting moves. Just look at this mofo squatting and look at the size of his legs.
I don't anyone is advocating that you only squat and DL...
True, but if, for example, I do only preacher curls for 10 years I'd get a huge biceps, while as the weightlifters above show - squatting would not have the same effect.
So wouldn't it be better to forgo squats and spend the time doing leg presses instead, if the goal is size not strength?
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You can lose weight but you can't gain common sense - that stuff if genetic!
True, but if, for example, I do only preacher curls for 10 years I'd get a huge biceps, while as the weightlifters above show - squatting would not have the same effect.
If you are progressing in squats, then you will get massive legs. How hard is this to understand!?
True, but if, for example, I do only preacher curls for 10 years I'd get a huge biceps, while as the weightlifters above show - squatting would not have the same effect.
Greetings, compadre.
I feel that the above example is a bit too broad. Some people may get good gains from one exercise, while some may not. This alone is not proof or rationale for only performing that one exercise.
It's probably a good idea to include squats and some form of deadlift.
True, but if, for example, I do only preacher curls for 10 years I'd get a huge biceps, while as the weightlifters above show - squatting would not have the same effect.
You're saying those weight lifters don't have big legs?
True, but if, for example, I do only preacher curls for 10 years I'd get a huge biceps, while as the weightlifters above show - squatting would not have the same effect.
their Olympic weightlifters, they train for power and strength, so really low reps, yer man in the video was doing 2 reps but he was lifting them really quickly, olympic weightlifters lift huge weights in a very short amount of time, using fast twitch fibres, so they probably wont get huge, but they will be super strong
deadlifts and squats are great because they hit multiple parts of your body, the thing is getting your rep range straight for growth.
strength through length
mind over matter
function is perfection
Look at the video I posted - does he have big legs? Not compared to an accountant, of course, but lets say to a pro body builder.
1. Weight lifters are in weight classes so they aren't always trying to pack on mass.
2. Those images and video are examples you chose. There are certainly weight lifters with impressive physiques and legs.
This alone is not proof or rationale for only performing that one exercise.
Actually my point was exactly opposite, i.e. avoiding that one exercise, if muscle gain is the primary goal.
Weightlifters are the only athletes that train legs with squats only, so I think it's the best example of the effectiveness of squats in the long term, i.e. the best way to show what squats alone could do for your legs.
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You can lose weight but you can't gain common sense - that stuff if genetic!
nice bull****.of course squats and deads build big back and legs.but only lifters are strength athletes
heavy weight low sets
VOLUME is so important as intensity to build muscle.also they dont train to add mass because more mass=heavier lifter=weaker lifter.if u weight 100 kg and squat the same as me but i weight 60kg whos stronger?
strong logic involved
Yes, squats and deadlifts will help you add overall muscle mass. IME, they're not the only exercises that should be used, nor even particularly the "best" exercise for any one muscle group. But overall, they are very efficient at helping to pack on mass simply because of the number of muscles involved.
You cannot draw direct correlations from olympic weightlifters because they train for strength, not hypertrophy, and technique is a big part of their lifts. Typically, they use a lower rep range and lower volume than a bodybuilder would use. While size and strength are related, they don't always go proportionately hand-in-hand.
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nice bull****.of course squats and deads build big back and legs.but only lifters are strength athletes
heavy weight low sets
VOLUME is so important as intensity to build muscle.also they dont train to add mass because more mass=heavier lifter=weaker lifter.if u weight 100 kg and squat the same as me but i weight 60kg whos stronger?
strong logic involved
Your logic is extremely flawed, please do not participate. There is a reason why there are "weight groups".
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You can lose weight but you can't gain common sense - that stuff if genetic!
nice bull****.of course squats and deads build big back and legs.but only lifters are strength athletes
heavy weight low sets
VOLUME is so important as intensity to build muscle.also they dont train to add mass because more mass=heavier lifter=weaker lifter.if u weight 100 kg and squat the same as me but i weight 60kg whos stronger?
strong logic involved
Well typically the 100kg lifter would lift more than the 60kg lifter hence why there's weight classes in weight lifting and power lifting.
Yes, squats and deadlifts will help you add overall muscle mass. IME, they're not the only exercises that should be used, nor even particularly the "best" exercise for any one muscle group. But overall, they are very efficient at helping to pack on mass simply because of the number of muscles involved.
You cannot draw direct correlations from olympic weightlifters because they train for strength, not hypertrophy, and technique is a big part of their lifts. Typically, they use a lower rep range and lower volume than a bodybuilder would use. While size and strength are related, they don't always go proportionately hand-in-hand.
I agree with this. But if your goal is to get bigger, why not substitute squats with leg presses? I was watching a video of Coleman doing leg work and while he did a few squats in the low rep range (2-3x800lbs), he really focused on leg presses with high volume (I think he did something like 10x2,000lbs+). Also, a lot of the pros are doing squads on a Smith machine, basically isolating quads.
Is it possible that squats are just something people do out of habit/influence instead of being the best leg exercise, as many tend to claim?
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You can lose weight but you can't gain common sense - that stuff if genetic!
I agree with this. But if your goal is to get bigger, why not substitute squats with leg presses? I was watching a video of Coleman doing leg work and while he did a few squats in the low rep range, he really focused on leg presses with high volume. Also, a lot of the pros are doing squads on a Smith machine, basically isolating quads.
Is it possible that squats are just something people do out of habit/influence instead of being the best leg exercise, as many tend to claim?
oh gawd!its because the lower body is naturally stronger than the upper.so with squats yes its true that u may fail the set rep because ur upper body is not ready for it but the lower is.thats why the post -exhaust pre -exhaust them quads.that still doesnt mean anything cause the squats works much more mass than the leg press.theres really no comparison.
Honestly, I don't know whether to laugh or weep for humanity due to this thread/the op.
OP, don't squat or deadlift. It seems like you're looking for justification not to anyways. So don't.
-
Lick me where I shiit - JeannetteEmigh
-
Your dumb. - MusclePack (<-- Oh sweet irony)
-
Your back is yellow, you can be as buff as you want but you are yellow. You will forever be inferior to me. Lmao yellowback sasquatch. Come at me mr 61k reps, or should I say 60k now that I negged u lmao. - ConstipatedBrah
-
Journal: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=126418493
I agree with this. But if your goal is to get bigger, why not substitute squats with leg presses? I was watching a video of Coleman doing leg work and while he did a few squats in the low rep range (2-3x800lbs), he really focused on leg presses with high volume (I think he did something like 10x2,000lbs+). Also, a lot of the pros are doing squads on a Smith machine, basically isolating quads.
Is it possible that squats are just something people do out of habit/influence instead of being the best leg exercise, as many tend to claim?
Ronnie Coleman is not a great example of how the average lifter should train.
Honestly, I don't know whether to laugh or weep for humanity due to this thread/the op.
OP, don't squat or deadlift. It seems like you're looking for justification not to anyways. So don't.
thissss!!!^ op u have to understand that u have to lift heavy **** and make sacrifices to progress just like in every sport.
this or stay mediocre at best its ur choice.really i cant even ****in think a substitute of the squat for a beginner
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