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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03-29-2012, 10:17 AM #1
Are squats & deadlifts really good for bodybuilding?
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You can lose weight but you can't gain common sense - that stuff if genetic!
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03-29-2012, 10:21 AM #2
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03-29-2012, 10:22 AM #3
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03-29-2012, 10:30 AM #4
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03-29-2012, 10:31 AM #5
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03-29-2012, 10:35 AM #6
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03-29-2012, 10:41 AM #7
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03-29-2012, 10:43 AM #8
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?--------------
You can lose weight but you can't gain common sense - that stuff if genetic!
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03-29-2012, 10:44 AM #9
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03-29-2012, 10:46 AM #10
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.
Have a great week!Who was this love of yours?
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03-29-2012, 10:46 AM #11
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03-29-2012, 10:49 AM #12
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03-29-2012, 10:49 AM #13
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
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03-29-2012, 10:50 AM #14
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.
If you are progressing in squats, then you will get massive legs. How hard is this to understand!?Last edited by atlrus; 03-29-2012 at 10:56 AM.
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You can lose weight but you can't gain common sense - that stuff if genetic!
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03-29-2012, 10:56 AM #15
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03-29-2012, 11:00 AM #16
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.--------------
You can lose weight but you can't gain common sense - that stuff if genetic!
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03-29-2012, 11:02 AM #17
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03-29-2012, 11:03 AM #18
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
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03-29-2012, 11:07 AM #19
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.☠ By reading this post, you have agreed to my negative reputation terms of service.
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03-29-2012, 11:10 AM #20
dat high endurance squatters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjtVvYk1HWw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbFGdpQD_O0
you mad?
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03-29-2012, 11:10 AM #21
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03-29-2012, 11:12 AM #22
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03-29-2012, 11:13 AM #23
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03-29-2012, 11:18 AM #24
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?--------------
You can lose weight but you can't gain common sense - that stuff if genetic!
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03-29-2012, 11:22 AM #25
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.
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03-29-2012, 11:22 AM #26
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03-29-2012, 11:23 AM #27
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03-29-2012, 11:25 AM #28
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03-29-2012, 11:27 AM #29
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03-29-2012, 11:28 AM #30
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