Pick one. Squat or Deadlift

[glwanabe]

You can do only one lift for the next year of your life. You can't change your mind once you have choosen. Which do you choose, and why?

A. Squat
B. Deadlift

Think about your answer, and try to explain why you have choosen the way that you have.

[glwanabe]

For myself, I ended up at deadlifting.

Even though the range of motion through the legs is less than squatting, I would still develop quad, and posterior chain strength. While squatting would also lead to upper body mass due to total body loads carried, the deadlift would more directly hit and promote growth, both in my back and core.

Chest would also be hit more with deads due to the load carried by the arms, and the pecs being under strain holding the bar at lockout.

An aspect that I considered was this. I would be able to regain any lost ground in the full squat sooner after concentrating mainly on deads, than if the role were reversed. It would take much longer to regain deadlift strength if the move were not done.

[BendtheBar]

Hard question. I dread squats more. At least heavy squats. Warming up takes longer, and the lift feels harder for me.

But if I had to choose. I would choose:

Squats

Squats are my go to leg exercise. I need them. Deadlifts...I feel I could do rows and shrugs and a pullup variation and live without them if need be. That's really what it comes down to for me.

In addition, I am more leg obsessed.

[MikeC]

Deadlift all the way. I feel pound for pound they add the most muscle.

[Fcat611]

i would pick neither if I had too.

[glwanabe]

Originally Posted by Fcat611

i would pick neither if I had too.

That was not the question. You will do one or the other. This is the only movement you will perform.

Pick a position, and state why.

[Fcat611]

can i do smit squat?

[glwanabe]

Originally Posted by Fcat611

can i do smit squat?

Only if you still ride a bike with training wheels. Otherwise, use an adult set of weights.

[CoopDawg]

Originally Posted by Fcat611

i would pick neither if I had too.

lol if you picked neither u would also be picking no muscle

[CoopDawg]

Deadlift alll the way, hold 300 pounds at ur waist and see how many muscles strain to keep it close to the body, enough said