does the deadlift really work all those muscles ?

**beginner84** · 12-09-2007, 02:05 AM

hey guys !

so the deadlift and the squat are said to work tons of muscles and i try to see that.

however for me it seems as if the dead would only work the legs and the lower back,
and maybe the forearms by holding the bar.

what about all those other groups that are said to be involved, does it really hit them all ?

**Mindi912** · 12-09-2007, 02:32 AM

whilst you have your main muslce groups that get hit with squats and deads

mainly quads and glutes (depending on which type you use eg back squat as opposed to sumo or normal deadlift as opposed to stiff legged)

you also need muscles to stablize your body such as your Hammies, Gastrocnemius, Erector Spinae, Abs and Obliques.

so in answer to your question yes all those muscles get used in some way

**kyokushin1** · 12-09-2007, 02:58 AM

Originally Posted by Mindi911

whilst you have your main muslce groups that get hit with squats and deads

mainly quads and glutes (depending on which type you use eg back squat as opposed to sumo or normal deadlift as opposed to stiff legged)

you also need muscles to stablize your body such as your Hammies, Gastrocnemius, Erector Spinae, Abs and Obliques.

so in answer to your question yes all those muscles get used in some way

The erector spinae is a primary mover in the deadlift, not a stabaliser, and it should be the target muscle as opposed to the glutes/hams/quads which are only used as movers in the first part of the exercise.

**Renaissance68** · 12-09-2007, 02:58 AM

Not a ot to add other than to confirm and say yes again. All your 'rear chain' muscles are used, including hamstrings, glutes, lower back/spinal erectors, trapezius. In addition there is work for the neck, biceps and forearms and abdominals. Also, via it's 'indirect' effect it will promote overall growth due to the high level of stress it puts on the system as a whole. Excellent exercise.

**Mindi912** · 12-09-2007, 03:01 AM

Originally Posted by kyokushin1

The erector spinae is a primary mover in the deadlift, not a stabaliser, and it should be the target muscle as opposed to the glutes/hams/quads which are only used as movers in the first part of the exercise.

sorry my bad I thought so but then double guessed myself

edit: actually thinking about it again doesn't regular deads hit your glutes and quads whilst stiff legged deads hit your erector spinae

**SomethingToSay** · 12-09-2007, 08:20 AM

OP, Performing dead lifts with correct form will work all the muscles in the back and legs to some degree or another. Some will be primary movers. Some will be synergists (assist muscle). Some will also be stabilizers and dynamic stabilizers. Also grip and forearms come into play. In addition, strong abdominals/obliques aid in control of the movement. When you add it all up, a hell of a lot of things are happening through out this exercise. All good!

I'm not sure if dead lifts are a pure body builders exercise. It's a great strength and power lifters move. If you are looking to add muscle and size through out the body as a whole - then this is the exercise to put in your arsenal. If your goal is primarily body building then (IMO) there are better exercise choices available to directly target individual muscle groups for size and detail. Stiff legged dead lifts, power racks, squats, power shrugs, Good mornings to name a few will give a bb a better over all aesthetic look.

That all being said, the dead lift exercise brings more to the table for adding mass than just about any other single exercise except (arguably) the squat. But that's another matter to debate.

**ThickAsABrick** · 12-09-2007, 08:31 AM

In before the first poster mentions "teh test release + teh growth hormonez!"

**badgangstaadam** · 12-09-2007, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by tommytom

if a tree falls in the middle of a forrest and nobody is around to hear it does it make a sound?

if u understand that, you're one step closer to enlightenment.

**DJAuto** · 12-09-2007, 08:48 AM

Hell yeah.

Deadlift is an excellent posterior chain movement.

**LungeManiac** · 12-09-2007, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by badgangstaadam

if u understand that, you're one step closer to enlightenment.

What is that, David Carradine from Kung Fu?

**Kiknskreem** · 12-09-2007, 08:57 AM

Does the deadlift really work all those muscles?

No, its a conspiracy.

It was the biceps brachii, with the manliccher carcano, on the grassy knowles.ja..

**Zensuji** · 12-09-2007, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by kyokushin1

The erector spinae is a primary mover in the deadlift, not a stabaliser, and it should be the target muscle as opposed to the glutes/hams/quads which are only used as movers in the first part of the exercise.

standing ab crunches > deads

**Mindi912** · 12-09-2007, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Tetsu.

standing ab crunches > deads

I was gonna say the same thing

wish I had now

**Hard Drive** · 12-09-2007, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by kyokushin1

The erector spinae is a primary mover in the deadlift, not a stabaliser, and it should be the target muscle as opposed to the glutes/hams/quads which are only used as movers in the first part of the exercise.

WHAT THE ****!!!

Erector spinae are responsible for hip extension and knee flexion!

OMIGOZ!O_O

The erector spinae serve the purpose of keeping the back straight, not as the prime movers. I don't know where the hell you got that idea.
The engine for both of these are the legs.

The squat works the legs. People don't squat to get big biceps, stop reading the bb.com(bull****barf.com) articles and get with reality.

**DJAuto** · 12-09-2007, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by Kalt

The erector spinae serve the purpose of keeping the back straight, not as the prime movers.

He got it from ExRx.

**Hard Drive** · 12-09-2007, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by DJAuto

He got it from ExRx.

I should really check that site out, I keep hearing people tote funny things from that site, like the erector spinae being prime movers for a DL. I even hear stuff in the gym about it. "Some site told me BTN press works posterior deltoid," and ****.
LAWL.

**Mindi912** · 12-09-2007, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by Mindi911

whilst you have your main muslce groups that get hit with squats and deads

mainly quads and glutes (depending on which type you use eg back squat as opposed to sumo or normal deadlift as opposed to stiff legged)

you also need muscles to stablize your body such as your Hammies, Gastrocnemius, Erector Spinae, Abs and Obliques.

so in answer to your question yes all those muscles get used in some way

Originally Posted by Kalt

The erector spinae serve the purpose of keeping the back straight, not as the prime movers. I don't know where the hell you got that idea.
The engine for both of these are the legs.

The squat works the legs. People don't squat to get big biceps, stop reading the bb.com(bull****barf.com) articles and get with reality.

you know I really do think it's about time I start trusting myself

**SSK1903** · 12-09-2007, 09:24 AM

Prime move or not, lower back gets LOTS of work from ordinary deads.

Yes, they're a great exercise, OP. But also quite taxing. For now you can hit them hard, but at some point you'll need to start experimenting and seeing what frequency works for you. Don't get caught in chasing singles for max strength...don't neglect rep work.

If you wanna know which muscles deads work...try maxing on them (actually, don't - just for illustration). Soreness will reveal where you're sore.

**Hard Drive** · 12-09-2007, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by Mindi911

you know I really do think it's about time I start trusting myself

You really thoguht DLs were mainly an erector spinae exercise?

I'm so sorry

We really need a fluffy BB rehab thread or something.

**Mindi912** · 12-09-2007, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by Kalt

You really thoguht DLs were mainly an erector spinae exercise?

I'm so sorry

We really need a fluffy BB rehab thread or something.

No No No I've never thought that at all

I've always known they work your quads and glutes but when the idiot said I was wrong I took it instead of telling him to STFU

**Hard Drive** · 12-09-2007, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by Mindi911

No No No I've never thought that at all

I've always known they work your quads and glutes but when the idiot said I was wrong I took it instead of telling him to STFU

Kyo has a talent for bringing us all close together.

**Mindi912** · 12-09-2007, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by Kalt

Kyo has a talent for bringing us all close together.

lol

**knowles.ja** · 12-09-2007, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by Kiknskreem

Does the deadlift really work all those muscles?

No, its a conspiracy.

It was the biceps brachii, with the manliccher carcano, on the grassy knowles.ja..

You spelled "knoll" wrong.

**Kiknskreem** · 12-09-2007, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by knowles.ja

You spelled "knoll" wrong.

Its just a non-sensical joke

**dubano** · 12-09-2007, 10:42 AM

there is no prime mover in compound movements...

there is prime mover to each joint for example when you are doing chins ups, the biceps is the prime mover on the elbow and the Brachialis and the Brachioradialis are the Synergists

the gluts are the prime mover on the hip joint
the quads " " " " " " knee

the hams are dynamic Stabilizer on the hip joint

the Erector Spinae is only Stabilizer (very dominate but still a Stabilizer)

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