posted Wed, 08/24/2016 - 02:18
7148
-1 Are deadlifts the best single exercise to build muscle mass?
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I read about Why deadlifts are the best exercise to build muscle mass (link to article: http://bit.ly/2bhCSLZ)
and its basically saying that if you can only do one exercise in order to gain muscle, deadlifts would be the top choice, followed by squats and then bench press.
I am really bad at deadlifts because I have naturally weak and skinny forearms and my grip is terrible (always have to use gloves or straps otherwise my grip will fail me early)
Is there any alternative exercise that is as effective as building mass as the deadlift?
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The problem I have with deads is so many people have shit form and use too much weight. Great way to injure your back for life if not done correctly...
I really think that's why I have so much problems with my back now. Trying to do to much weight. Its hard not to some times when you got your boys all up in your ear egging you on pumping you up. Deadlifts are a great work out to build strength and size but you have to be smart about it listen to your body not your boys. Who doesn't want to DL 500+ I might have felt like the man when I could hit 505 for 5 sets of 5 but im paying for it now. You can really mess yourself up trying to push or pull more weight than your body is ready for. The mind might want it but the body can't take it.
I can't do deads since I've had two disc surgeries, but I do miss the feeling and pump.
I know the feeling I don't do them anymore myself it kills me that I can't it was my favorite gym day. At one time I heavy deadlift twice a week and ill say the one that I did put on good weight and size was when I was deadlifting. Everyone told me you don't need to be deadlifting like that 2x a week once is plenty but I didn't listen now alot of the reason why I do have so much back problems is due to that I do believe
If you can do them,,its an incredible movement that can build some serious mass.
As we get older though we need to work more on the movement and form than the massive weight
or you can get injured.
Ive never personally used straps ive just always used chalk. What seemed to really help my grip was heavy dumbbell shrugs or just holding heavy for as long as I could. Another thing that helped my grip strength was to do push ups closed fist on my knuckles. Cause the stronger my wrist got the tighter I could grip. They helped me.
Hey man, squats are just as important as deadlifts. If both are done consistently, at heavy weights and 3-5 sets at 3-6 reps, you will build mass and strength relatively quickly. A heavy set is around 90% of your 1 rep max. If your one rep max is 135Lbs, have no shame and work your way up. Also, a really good way to get your grip strength up is doing farmers carry.
Gotta do deads. If you have a weak grip, stop using straps. That's contributing to your weak grip.
Also, if you grip is weak, do farmers carry!
I stopped deadlifts years ago made me strong but got to many injuries,deadlifts for the young ones to build a foundation but for me it's passed,better off doing barbel rows.
I'm a big fan of both dead lifts and the squat for building core strength and mass. But i must ell you as a gym rat of over 40 years one of the biggest guys i ever saw in a hardcore gym never did anything but dead lifts with really really heavy weight!
Simple answer, no. I didn't use deadlifts for 2 years yet built a solid foundation and my back was as thick if not thicker than most guys who ate, slept and shat deadlifts. It all depends on the person. I personally do not like deadlifts but will incorporate them as needed. Now stiff leg deadlifts I do use to build my hammy's only
AnonI'm new here, but I'm not new to lifting. And I would have to say that the deadlift and all forms of the deadlift are essential to building mass. Between the squat, bench and deadlift, you use every muscle in your body. Your grip strength will continue to improve, just keep after the heavy weight. There are many thresholds there, and you have to push through them all. You have to be willing to BEAT them all! It takes time to develope your form and even more time to develope a routine that your body responds well to.
Also, focusing on deads will help you a ton with your grip. Make them a priority...no excuses.
No way to replace dead lifts. Nothing recruits more muscles or impacts your cns like deads.
It's the alpha lifts imo.
I stopped doing deadlifts for a while (stupid reason). Once I began doing them again (trap bar deadlifts) my quads and back began developing at a much better rate. I just noticed a thickness developing that wasn't happening without deadlifts.
That's because trap bar deadlifts aren't really deadlifts. They're much more like squatting with weight in your hands than they are a deadlift. Stick to convo stance deadlifting, and you won't do much at all for developing quads.
Tronhow does a person have so much time to write all these forums?
Thank You Mod(s). Some of these back to back posts were just plain insane.
Tarasoft11I think deadlifts/squats and bench are all equally useful for building mass
TronThen why did you ask?
So... We know deadlifts use the most muscle groups of any exercise, which is why we do them. I personally believe they're too taxing on your nervous system to hit them as hard as you want to; there's something about having a heavy barbell in your hands that does more damage than putting it on your back. I also feel that adding 100 lbs to your deadlift won't add the same amount of mass as adding 100 lbs to your squat, but there's certainly nothing like psyching yourself up to rip some heavy weight off the floor, probably handling more weight than any other free weight exercise. I find that if I'm off cycle I can only hit two of the three big lifts with high intensity otherwise one lift starts tanking. Personally, I'd rather those two exercises be squat and bench. On cycle is different, of course. Maybe I'm just a pussy...
Bench press shouldnt be on that list. Nothing can replace deadlifts. Strap up, or better yet stop using straps alltogether to improve grip strength.
I've been using fat gripz on.my deadlifts and my grip strength has went thru the roof it was a bitch at first another good one for grip strength farmers carrys
BigWAHcrybabyDo you fart when you do deadlifts as your belly can no longer hold the amount of cocks you ate for breakfast?
If I could do it all over again, I would never had used straps in my 20's. Back pulls, deads, shrugs, cleans, etc.....wasted opportunity if using straps. Obviously if you get your strength to a point you need them to hold it....different story, but few casual lifters are at that point.
With this damn arthritis in my fingers I pretty much have to use straps when doing shrugs or deadlifts. Can't hold on to anything other wise.
Arthritis does of course change things. No shame when medical limitations require their use. Age sucks lol.
Yeah my son is a competing powerlifter and it took me forever to convince him not to use straps in his routines leading up to o competition once he finally did his grip strength improved substantially
Hard lesson to teach. I loved em when I was young because I could obviously do more weight. Just a case of older and wiser I suppose. Good to hear he took the advice!
I think chalk is easier for low reps and maxes but straps for higher reps. Chalk is like glue
Totally agree once the wrist s and forearms start getting tight on high reps you gotta use straps and chalk
Yes, do love the chalk. Luckily have gym here where its allowed and supplied.....many gyms these days dont allow it sadly. Of course this probably due to asshats abusing it by making messes and atmospheric hazards lol.
If you don't clean your bars of the chalk that shit will rust in a second. The chalk traps moisture. I get gyms banning it. I have a home gym and even I don't always clean the chalk off my expensive bars. It's a pain in the knurling