NFOMan

You, guys

I've been doing presses (400+) for a while, but decided to get into Squats and Deadlifts ( don't ask why , my buddies talked me into it)

Well, this is a different animal! Shit, I'm dealing with balance, safety, other things, and, of course, the pain. Are squats as good as presses?

Also, the T-rags say that squats and deadlifts support the upper body. I can' see how. My upper body workouts don't seem to have anything to do with my legs. Am I a dickhead or somehin?

Doublebase

Hmmm. Yes.

Triple Threat

No comparison. Squats are much better.


Perhaps they mean squats and DLs build the lower body which in turn support the upper body?

Witchblade

You're a fool if you don't work your legs.

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lojasmo

NFOMan

Yeah, I hear yuh, but you don't say why legs rock. I get the quads and hams feelings, but what's the connection with upper body?

lucifuge

seriously?
squats strengthen the entire body.
you already mentioned the whole stability factor, not to mention more GH is released by doing heavy squats than pretty much any other exercise.

Witchblade

Extreme lack of proportionality (or 'light bulb effect') will drastically increase your chance of injury. It will also cause your body to fight against more upper body hypertrophy in the long run, reducing your gains in the long run. And finally, it makes you look dumb.

On a side note, big compound exercises are a great way to stimulate positive hormonal reactions.

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P-funk

how do you expect to support that weight on your shoulders (Squatting) or hold heavy weight in your hands with your shoulders back and a neutral spine (deadlifting)?

These are adaptations that come from performing these lifts....aside form the adaptations in lower extremity strength.

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Elson

squats and dead lifts strengthen your hips and core muscles (ie your erectors, rectus abdominus) which hold you upright and support your entire upper body. weakness in these muscles or legs can cause back problems. basically they help out more than your legs.

Start: 130lbs
Current:steady at 155lbs (04/27/08)

clayu86

Squats is a better workout than legpresses...they arent as safe though. They are however the ultimate combo to do with leg presses. My workout includes squats first then leg press...for 4 sets of each...and about 4 other workouts and a tempo. I tell ya what these two together will explode your legs. Honestly if you dont have a strong lower body it will make your upper body lag. If you want the best growth include squats. Make sure you get your form and technique down before going heavy as you can hurt yourself faster than most workouts on this one. Know your limits. You want to go slow with progression if you arent used to them. remember to always explode from the bottom position. Going slow coming up does nothing for you and can actually hurt you. Going slow on the down part can be beneficial. I periodize all my workouts and have different tempos on each one and do them in month phases....the tempos work different muscle fibers...periodize and these will benefit ya like a motherfucker. To have strong legs you need a strong core and to have a strong upperbody you need strong legs...everythging compliments everything. Sorry for being random and rambling I wrote this extremely quick. If you need any help feel free to ask...I am an expert in that area...used to compete in powerlifting. Can give ya good pointers.

NFOMan

[quick. If you need any help feel free to ask...I am an expert in that area...used to compete in powerlifting. Can give ya good pointers.[

Shit, man, you da' man. I'm startin slow, makin sure the form is right and working up the weights. I don't have any worry about the lower body, cause I bang the hell out of my abs, obliques, extensors (back) I'm certainly not in your league, but now I know who to ask.

Thanks

clayu86

anytime man...feel free...

buening

This may sound really weird, but people that have had problems getting their biceps to grow have seen their arms grow once they started squats. Squats increase the body's GH production unlike any other exercise. And as mentioned before, the best way to build a strong core is to do squats and deads. Deads also work the back (erectors, traps, lats) as well as the glutes, hams, quads, and many other muscles. Deads and ATG squats are the staple of my workouts.

NFOMan

You guys (and gals) have sortof given me the key between real body training vs. bodybuilding. I have to work out my own version, but I'm leaning towards total body training. (I'm not in the competition league, but I'll bet I can wrestle a pig!)