Can/should it be used as a leg exercise on its own as in, instead of a squat or any other leg exercise? Or should I add some squats or lunges also? I ask because I like to pick just one leg exercise every workout but also a different leg exercise every time. Full body crew
I didn’t know what section I’m supposed to ask random training questions either.
Probably “bigger, stronger, leaner”, but in either case, the answer to this question largely depends on your goals. General goals will have general answers, while specific goals require specific answers.
You can certainly make the deadlift your only lower body exercise if you want to, but it will have consequences. If the consequences are immaterial to your goal, you’re good.
Hypertrophy and better aesthetics are the goal. What are the consequences?
Isn’t hypertrophy better aesthetics?
The consequences are that you aren’t training any sort of meaningful knee flexion/extension with a deadlift. It’s primarily a hip hinge movement.
So I would benefit more from doing additional exercises with a fuller range of motion is what you’re saying? I hope so because that’s exactly the answer I was looking for, lol.
Not necessarily. You can achieve hypertrophy with a deadlift. Heck, Pavel Tstastouline had a modified DeLorme workout in Beyond Bodybuilding that was just the Bench and Deadlift.
However, limiting exercise selection for no particular reason doesn’t seem like a sound idea. But again, it depends on your goals. Your goals are VERY general right now, which means you can take a very general approach. If it was something more specific, like “I want a larger outer quad sweep”, THEN you could start approaching it with more precise engagement.
Well I would like to focus on quads more than hammies but I agree with you, shouldn’t limit yourself to just one exercise, that’s why I pick a different one every workout to cover all my bases but It’s also an energy thing, I start to wonder if I am using too much for giving even attention to all other muscle groups I plan on working if I add more than just deadlift. Probably something I have to just try and tinker with but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
I’ll say that having lower body exercises in addition to deadlifts isn’t uncommon in many training programs, but if you are using different movements on other training days you’ll be hitting bodyparts as well.
Think of the training as part of an overall program, rather than in a vacuum that exists day to day. Look at how often you are training your quads from a monthly or quarterly perspective, for example, to see if you need to train them more.
But I want the answer now dammit! Just kidding man, that’s a good way of viewing things, I’ll give adding another exercise for a month a shot, see if it’s going to work for or against my goals. Thanks for the solid advice.