what am I missing out in my work out if I'm not doing deadlifts? will this significantly slow down my muscle development as opposed to doing them? are there any substitutes I can do instead of deadlifts? What am I really missing out on? I made a post a few weeks ago about my back and I just can't handle it IMO. It seems like the deadlift is the most essiential/best workout being stressed over and over on these forums. Is there any way around this?
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need some input...
- Thread starter Cryptik
- Start date
If you are simply skipping them because you don't like than, than you might as well just give up now... Not because it's "so important" to do deads, but because if you're not willing to go through hell for a few minutes, to reach your goals, which you will be able to enjoy for years to come, than you really don't want to be a body builder, or even get gains.
If it is for medical reasons - Yea, you will still be able to grow without deadlifts, there are many other back workouts, deads are just very efficient.
If it is for medical reasons - Yea, you will still be able to grow without deadlifts, there are many other back workouts, deads are just very efficient.
I must agree with Loads here. Body building may be criticized by power lifters, but they have to deal with grueling workouts and exercises that 'suck a lot'.
I can't friggin stand pullups...but I do them twice a week because I know my lats need em.
I'd rather recline on the leg press...but no...I do squats instead.
Back extensions are ok, but deadlifts REALLY do you some good.
Assuming its not a medical reason, think about it: do you really wanna go through life trying something, saying "its hard" and just not do it anymore? don't you enjoy meeting a challenge and coming out on top?
I can't friggin stand pullups...but I do them twice a week because I know my lats need em.
I'd rather recline on the leg press...but no...I do squats instead.
Back extensions are ok, but deadlifts REALLY do you some good.
Assuming its not a medical reason, think about it: do you really wanna go through life trying something, saying "its hard" and just not do it anymore? don't you enjoy meeting a challenge and coming out on top?
Alternatives to deadlifts: Stiff-Legged Deadlifts, Romanian Deadlifts, Cleans, Good Mornings, Hyperextensions...
You might try doing deadlifts only once a week, and only a few sets, and doing some other lower back/hip exercises the other days of the week. Also try switching up reps schemes, 2 sets of 12-15 reps one day, 4 sets of 6 reps another day. And remember you don't have to do every set to failure, in fact you may be able to get very good results without ever taking a set to failure.
And over time you may even get to like deadlifts. I know over the years I have changed which exercises are my favorites many times.
You might try doing deadlifts only once a week, and only a few sets, and doing some other lower back/hip exercises the other days of the week. Also try switching up reps schemes, 2 sets of 12-15 reps one day, 4 sets of 6 reps another day. And remember you don't have to do every set to failure, in fact you may be able to get very good results without ever taking a set to failure.
And over time you may even get to like deadlifts. I know over the years I have changed which exercises are my favorites many times.
If you are simply skipping them because you don't like than, than you might as well just give up now... Not because it's "so important" to do deads, but because if you're not willing to go through hell for a few minutes, to reach your goals, which you will be able to enjoy for years to come, than you really don't want to be a body builder, or even get gains.
If it is for medical reasons - Yea, you will still be able to grow without deadlifts, there are many other back workouts, deads are just very efficient.
I don't agree. Deadlifts are not hell. No exercises "should" be hell. Exercises are only considered hell if you have trouble performing them due to weakness, skill, or fitness level. Most of the time we consider a exercise "hell" is because we are trying to perform it when our body is not ready to do so. We tend to try to run before we walk...or drive a car before we can ride a bike. All exercises should be "perform-able" if they are progressed to correctly. Most of the time people have a hard time with deads because they have tight hamstrings, tight hip flexors, or weak back. Those are issue that can be corrected thru progressions.
I know plenty of guys that have gotten HUGE without ever doing one deadlift.
All good suggestions and ideas.
Deadlift is and will always be the #1 "core" exercise. I don't agree on totally subbing it out. If you do not have the skill to perform Russian or "bent knee" deadlifts with a barbell, break down the movement and figure out where your problem is. If it's weight, obviously lighten it. If you can't maintain proper dead posture throughout the lift, consider doing deads off of blocks or change to dumbbells.
Anytime you have weight below your hips and you are squatting with it..... you are performing a deadlift. I have trained plenty of trainees who became too frustrated with the movements. I never let one quit. Now, just about all of them can perform deadlifts properly.
Don't quit the movement. Also, it's not practice that makes perfect, it's perfect practice makes perfect.
Goodluck
Deadlift is and will always be the #1 "core" exercise. I don't agree on totally subbing it out. If you do not have the skill to perform Russian or "bent knee" deadlifts with a barbell, break down the movement and figure out where your problem is. If it's weight, obviously lighten it. If you can't maintain proper dead posture throughout the lift, consider doing deads off of blocks or change to dumbbells.
Anytime you have weight below your hips and you are squatting with it..... you are performing a deadlift. I have trained plenty of trainees who became too frustrated with the movements. I never let one quit. Now, just about all of them can perform deadlifts properly.
Don't quit the movement. Also, it's not practice that makes perfect, it's perfect practice makes perfect.
Goodluck