Thread: Quad or hamstring strength difference?

I personally can do more weight w/my quads

Comparing a deadlift to a squat isn't really a comparison of quads to hams IMO. If you look at both movements, they're essentially the same exact thing with the only difference being direct or indirect loading of the spine. Indirect loading (deadlift) allows you to move more weight because the spine isn't being directly pressured by the weight. It's also important to look at the way in which the movements are performed. Are you comparing a parallel back squat to a GM or an ATG front squat or overhead squat to a GM? There will probably be huge variations by simply changing how the movement is done.

That being said, a good comparison might be between deadlifts and SLDLs or squats and GMs. In other words, compare two exercises that have similar loading but different main movers (as much as we hate to think of movements as working muscles, they still do).

I can SLDL about 320, deadlift about 100 more. Whether this is 'normal' or what it 'should' be I have no idea.

Thanks everyone. I understand the differences between the DL and Squat but the SLDL and GM comparison is an interesting way of approaching it.

I was just curious as to the potential ability of force from the two muscle groups, quads and hams. i.e., all other factors being moot, does the quadriceps or the hamstring have more force potential. (If that makes any sense)

Originally Posted by snoogans

Thanks everyone. I understand the differences between the DL and Squat but the SLDL and GM comparison is an interesting way of approaching it.

I was just curious as to the potential ability of force from the two muscle groups, quads and hams. i.e., all other factors being moot, does the quadriceps or the hamstring have more force potential. (If that makes any sense)

I do realize what you're asking but I don't have an answer to that question. I know it's been discussed before and I think CowPimp came to the rescue with an answer (but I can't remember what it was). Obviously if you train one more than the other, the one with more training will have more potential, but I know you're asking about a situation in which both have the same (maybe no) training. I would guess that the quads can produce more force but, again, I'm really not sure.

Originally Posted by Squaggleboggin

Comparing a deadlift to a squat isn't really a comparison of quads to hams IMO. If you look at both movements, they're essentially the same exact thing with the only difference being direct or indirect loading of the spine. Indirect loading (deadlift) allows you to move more weight because the spine isn't being directly pressured by the weight. It's also important to look at the way in which the movements are performed. Are you comparing a parallel back squat to a GM or an ATG front squat or overhead squat to a GM? There will probably be huge variations by simply changing how the movement is done.

That being said, a good comparison might be between deadlifts and SLDLs or squats and GMs. In other words, compare two exercises that have similar loading but different main movers (as much as we hate to think of movements as working muscles, they still do).

I can SLDL about 320, deadlift about 100 more. Whether this is 'normal' or what it 'should' be I have no idea.

Actually squaggle, there is a more significant difference between the squat and deadlift than you have mentioned here. You see, when you deadlift, your center of gravity is much further forward. That is, the center of gravity is moved further away from the hips and more toward the knees. So, there is very little torque acting on the knee joint (Somewhat limiting quadricep activation) and a lot more torque on the hip joint (Engaging the posterior chain to a much greater degree.

Of course, on top of all of this, the levers and biomechanics involved in each lift are different. However, I would venture to say that most raw lifters can deadlift more than they squat. At the same time, you must also consider that the ROM is greater on a squat than a deadlift.