Ok a few misconceptions all around here…including me.
1)In response to my first post, the deadlift is usually, and definately should be, everyone’s heaviest lift. Say for instance my squat 1Rm is about 365. My deadlift max is about 405. This goes along pretty much with powerlifter lifts. If you look at the big 3, the deadlift is heaviest.
I know this is a generic thing to say, but generally the more weight you can move with any kind of speed, the more testosterone/GH that will be released to compensate. So, with these points, the deadlift is most anabolic for these reasons.
2)Sentoguy: I like where you’re going with your post, but just letting people squat “how they feel like it naturally” is not a good thing to do! Most people without any lifting knowledge do not squat perfectly. you should have the weight on your heels at all times. With this in mind, you weight must be back, which (usually) keeps your knees at or beyind your toes.
Also, the hips are supposed to take the brunt of the force, after all, isn’t this a hip-extension type of exercise, done to improve explosive strength? If you squat with your knees forward, you are PROBABLY not engaging your glutes and hamstrings enough. What you are going to do is use quads more than you should.
The end product of this is someone with overly tight quads, which pulls on the kneecap and can causes tightness in the top, middle or lateral side of the knee. Since the hamstrings, which are critical for knees support, are weak in comparison, hyperextension of the knee is probably. Torn ACLS are more probable.
Whoops, looks like I got off the subject.
3)Why can’t you squat more than once or twice a week? Well, to answer that, just lift legs heavy for 3 times a week, with one day of rest in between, and see how long you last before not only do you plateau but you lose absolute strength.
Find a powerlifter, or a very dedicated and knowledgable bodybuilder, and see how often they squat/deadlift HEAVY.
And finally, to Decimatron:
Sounds like your squat is getting where it needs to be, and your bench could stand to improve. Are you using vital triceps exercises like close-grip bench press, dips, tate press or skull crushers? Are you doing barbell rows and external extension exercises for shoulder stability? Is your form correct?
We need more info…how about you post your grip width and exactly how you enter the bench press. It could be a matter of form thats holding your upperbody lifts back.
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Could be that I’m doing something wrong squatting or deadlifting … 