do squats increase overall muscle growth/my workouts

[Iodine]

I've heard that if you squat then you are releasing large amounts of something that helps not only your leg muscles to grow but all of your muscles. Is this true? Because right now I'm mainly focusing on my upper body and I don't squat at all. I actually know a lot of people who don't squat and there upper bodies look fine and they're plenty strong (no homo). Lol, so is it necessary to throw in the squat exercise everyonce in a while during my other workouts? By the way I don't work out legs but every once in a while I'll do some seated calf raises, leg extensions and some squats, not too often though.

My workouts...

CHEST/TRICEPS -
FLAT BARBELL BENCH PRESS
INCLINE BARBELL BENCH PRESS
FLAT BENCH DUMBBELL FLYS
FLAT DUMBBELL BENCH PRESS
PEC DECK BUTTERFLYS
SKULLCRUSHERS
TRICEP KICK-BACKS
DIFFERENT VARIATIONS OF PUSHUPS
TRICEP PULL-DOWNS

LATS/SHOULDERS/TRAPS/BACK -
WIDE GRIP LAT PULL DOWNS
CLOSE GRIP LAT PULL DOWNS
PULL-UPS
STANDING MILITARY PRESS
FRONT DUMBBELL RAISE
LATERAL DUMBBELL RAISE
DUMBBELL SHOULDER SHRUGS
UPRIGHT BARBELL ROWS
BENT OVER DUMBBELL ROWS

[thedestro]

Yes. Nothing is set in stone in bodybuilding, except that if you don't squat you're a pussy.

[ThickAsABrick]

Yes. Nothing is set in stone in bodybuilding, except that if you don't squat you're a pussy.

0 for 2

[bania]

I've heard that if you squat then you are releasing large amounts of something that helps not only your leg muscles to grow but all of your muscles. Is this true? Because right now I'm mainly focusing on my upper body and I don't squat at all.

Some people experience great overall body mass gains as a result of focusing on squatting, particularly higher rep work.

You should NOT be neglecting legs, regardless.

[240kat]

I've heard that if you squat then you are releasing large amounts of something that helps not only your leg muscles to grow but all of your muscles.

I too have read that testosterone is most heavily stored in your legs and that working them floods it to the rest of your body..however, i don't actually know.

[in10city]

Acute increases in Testosterone and Growth Hormone can occur if certain training protocols are employed (which most people fail to do in the first place)

HOWEVER, acute effects have not been positively linked to long term benefits / results. What is not fully understood is the actual significance and how important the acute hormonal responses induced by resistance exercise are on muscle hypertrophy over the long-term.

In other words, don't get caught up in the acute anabolic hormone response as muscle tension (weight) and the increase in intra-muscular growth factors that it stimulates is just, if not more, important.

[ITHURTZ]

Lifting itself causes test release. Doing curls releases test as well as anybody part, but the bigger the muscle the bigger release. Is doing squats going to turn you into the hulk, probably not. But in a 10 year difference would you have a bit more size than someone who didnt? Its possible.

[CaptainGorgeous]

Yes. Nothing is set in stone in bodybuilding, except that if you don't squat you're a pussy.

WTF?

[rockhuddy]

I actually know a lot of people who don't squat and there upper bodies look fine and they're plenty strong (no homo)

there you go then

If you're not concerned about your lower body you don't have to work it, but the 'lightbulb' look is not very flattering IMO.

[demike]

OP you should be doing your whole body, not just upper body. You are probably right, a lot of people neglect legs or squats. That does not mean it is right. You want to have a good overall physique. If you don't do legs or squats its only hurting you, not anyone else. So DO IT!

[3doz]

if you dont want to squat or dont care about your legs then dont do it. simple as that.

[Lion Heart]

I think we all agree that he should be doing his whole body and not just his upper body.

But the majority of us take issues with the whole he's a pussy if he doesn't squat ****.

[TheGr8S1]

Lifting itself causes test release. Doing curls releases test as well as anybody part, but the bigger the muscle the bigger release. Is doing squats going to turn you into the hulk, probably not. But in a 10 year difference would you have a bit more size than someone who didnt? Its possible.

Solving a Rubix cube can cause test release

[Staind_emt]

there you go then

If you're not concerned about your lower body you don't have to work it, but the 'lightbulb' look is not very flattering IMO.

My brother does nothing but upperbody.....Hes been doing it for 8 months. big upper body and stick legs and what ever lady dreams of.

[TXPump]

Solving a Rubix cube can cause test release

nope...i solve it several times every day at my boring job so and i haven't seen much growth
lol

[GetBig87]

Deadlifts and squats should be done WEEKLY, in addition to heavy freeweight exercises. They release ALOT of test and GH into your bloodstream because they are so demanding.

[thursday22dp]

Deadlifts and squats should be done WEEKLY, in addition to heavy freeweight exercises. They release ALOT of test and GH into your bloodstream because they are so demanding.

Yes. Nothing is set in stone in bodybuilding, except that if you don't squat you're a pussy.

x2..

[DiamondDelts]

Here we go again.................do squats release gh/test thread #143

[DiamondDelts]

Yes. Nothing is set in stone in bodybuilding, except that if you don't squat you're a pussy.

Um, no.

[SquatTilYouDrop]

[ThickAsABrick]

Acute increases in Testosterone and Growth Hormone can occur if certain training protocols are employed (which most people fail to do in the first place)

HOWEVER, acute effects have not been positively linked to long term benefits / results. What is not fully understood is the actual significance and how important the acute hormonal responses induced by resistance exercise are on muscle hypertrophy over the long-term.

In other words, don't get caught up in the acute anabolic hormone response as muscle tension (weight) and the increase in intra-muscular growth factors that it stimulates is just, if not more, important.

bump ^^^^^^

[Ozisaxon]

And that from some-one named Squattillyoudrop (Ref big upper body - Forum Name = Confusing answer )

Yes there is release of GH and Test linked to the amount of muscle worked.

Squats will allow you to build a solid base to carry around your growing upper body. Put it that way. Chicken Legs and the Guns of Lavrone just dont add up...

[Lion Heart]

Except the flaw that if you don't do squats you will have small legs.

Not true.

Leg presses, Lunges, Glute Ham raises can all net you big legs.

Remember that I am coming at this as a bodybuiler where it's all about how you look. Doesn't matter what exercises you use to get there.

It's about choice.

[Gman02]

Beat me to it.

In otherwords, no.

[Isotonic]

Yes Squats and Deadlifts are the key excercises in building mass

As they both use extreme force to accomplish (doing them heavy that is)

When using extreme force your body raises its TESTOSTERONE levels and also gets it flowing more freely. (More test mor emuscle) It also produces more GROWTH HORMONES in the entire body (More growth hormones more muscle)

Those guys in the wheel chairs who are jacked would have not done squats and deadlifts (Obvesiouly) but if they did they would be bigger than what they are in the pics. Without a doubt.

Also they were probally on testosterone boosters and growth hormone.

To compensate for the deadlifts and squats.

But alot of respect to those dudes in wheel chairs, The achived something most people cant even do with legs.

[dtboxy]

apparently it realeses more testostorone. you should do your legs but

[Isotonic]

Here we go again.................do squats release gh/test thread #143

Do you belive or disagree?

[rhizome]

Acute increases in Testosterone and Growth Hormone can occur if certain training protocols are employed (which most people fail to do in the first place)

HOWEVER, acute effects have not been positively linked to long term benefits / results. What is not fully understood is the actual significance and how important the acute hormonal responses induced by resistance exercise are on muscle hypertrophy over the long-term.

In other words, don't get caught up in the acute anabolic hormone response as muscle tension (weight) and the increase in intra-muscular growth factors that it stimulates is just, if not more, important.

BUMP! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Do you belive or disagree?

I AM SURE you are not training in a manner that elicits the response ANYWAY.
FURTHERMORE, acute effects DO NOT TRANSLATE to TANGIBLE results.

Don't be a squawking parrot.

[singyay4ed]

Yes. Nothing is set in stone in bodybuilding, except that if you don't squat you're a pussy.

No, something else which is set in stone is that if you do kickbacks you're a pussy.

OP, swap the tricep kickbacks for squats, for ****s sake. The hormonal affect from squatting will probably get you a bigger upper body than an infinite amount of tricep kickbacks.

[Will2k84]

Is this bodybuilding.com or upperbodybuilding.com?

In the end it's up to you and i know quite a few people who neglect legs and do very little back work because "you don't see them so whats the point" but in the end they will greatly benefit you.

You wouldnt build a 20 storey building with a ****ty weak foundation would you? Your legs are very important overall, they account for like 50% of your body.