Thread: Why deadlifts?

In a word, yes.

DL's build mass, all over, but particularly through the back.

Some people think it can cause growth around the midsection, extending the gut. Personally i think this is a rarity and effects more shorter lifters than the taller ones ( maybe as taller tend to not look more compact as stockier shorter lifter). See how you gaet on. It's agreat ego boost ( i mean in a positive approach to drive you on with training) to do a lift where you can shift some serious weight like with a bench or squat. If you want inspiration ( and i know this guy doesn't have the best midsection) check out Ronnie's lower back developement. Actually, check out his entire development!! Deads are a good shout.

Yea I think deadlifts work EVERYTHING. My neck gets bigger from doing deadlifts ha.

I love deads, but such compound movements (squats, deads etc...) have widened/thickened my waist a little... Obviously, thats not what I want but the positive impacts that they are having on my back just outweigh the cons!!

It was suggested to me that I use a belt, everytime I train to keep my waist from getting any thicker and perhaps, squeeze it (kinda like oriental women who used to stick their feet in teenie-weenie shoes)....Anyone know theres any truth to that theory?

im short and stocky and deads have def increased my waist size a bit....i still love em though...the good just outweigh the bad by far...i believe its the one exercises that really effectively uses pieces of all your other muscles put together...its fun too

I enjoy deads and my bench has gone up quite a bit over the last couple of months as a result of consistent heavy deads ( I think)

Deadlifts build all around mass and power and will also help stimulate natural GH and testosterone output.

A great exercise for anyone who is serious about improving their back as well as overall growth.


Wearing a belt will not keep your waist small but will help to prevent back injuries as well as hernias.............whoever told you this is doing some wishful thinking.

just make sure you are concentrating on proper form..

or injury may result

i havent used a belt in 5 years....i dont see much use for them unless you are doin a 1rep max...never using a belt makes me concentrate on my form...i do deads to build a lower back...and using a belt would hinder my lower back development

no belt needed if you are experienced..but if you were to arch your lower back you can really hurt yourself. just dont get slopy, thats all i sayin.

its all about proper form...i get soo scared when im at the gym and i see people doin fuked up forms...i just wanna ask em " what the hell are you trying to develop, a fukin hernia?"

im sure no belt really strenghtens your core.

lol. i know..

Originally Posted by kraziplaya

i dont see much use for them unless you are doin a 1rep max

I don't use one even for 1 RMs.

Originally Posted by crazy_enough

I love deads, but such compound movements (squats, deads etc...) have widened/thickened my waist a little... Obviously, thats not what I want but the positive impacts that they are having on my back just outweigh the cons!!

It was suggested to me that I use a belt, everytime I train to keep my waist from getting any thicker and perhaps, squeeze it (kinda like oriental women who used to stick their feet in teenie-weenie shoes)....Anyone know theres any truth to that theory?

ive noticed a tiny bit thicker midsection, which is dont really care about because im working my upper body more to widen up there a bit more too.

lol with the oriental women and tiny shoes thing, their feet became smaller because they got deformed over time and fit into the tiny shoes not too sure you wanna deform your waist just to get it smaller. but using a belt is just like using a suit, it keeps you from using your own muscles to stabalize as much, using a belt IMO would probably keep you from getting a larger midsection (youll still get some but maybe not as much?) because of the fact that you wont be using those muscles as much if the belt is doing all the support work for you... which is why i dont like to use belts, suits, or any other kind of support, the one day you train without them, you wont be able to do as much safely.

I've already had 2 hernias(both non-weight lifting related) but i'm a little worried about doing any exercise that could potentially cause a hernia. I do instead of dead-lifts hyperextensions for the lower back, do you guys think that is OK as a replacement? Or is there a better lower back exercise.

what exactly is a hernia lol......

So it's deads? Is that the reason a lot of the pros have such montrous waistlines? Or is there another reason? I've always wondred about this. It can't be just that 'cause the classic guys used to do them as well and their obliques never got as wide. Personally I don't see it as a good trade off. It just looks wrong. Take King Kamali for example. That dude's thick obliques couldn't get any wronger. They look like freaking love handles!

Deadlifts are my hands down favorite exercise. As far as widening your waist it should do it in proportion to the rest of your body...it thickens your legs and lats as well giving you an X shape.

Pro's have big waists from being 250 plus pounds as well as doing growth hormone, which disstends your stomach as well as enlarges your joints, skull, muscles, and organs...very UNHEALTHY

I think deadlifts are great. I get the most developments in my traps and lower back. I also love the HIGH I get after a heavy set.

melvin anthony has a 27" waist.

Originally Posted by Dante

melvin anthony has a 27" waist.

Are you sure? His looks bigger than mine http://www.melvinanthony.com/galleryironman.html