Do you really need Deadlifts?

In all seriousness
I think DL is great, no matter what you're training for.

It's all going to come down to variations and reps.
A bodybuilder would be crazy to dismiss Romanians and stiff legs in the 12-20 rep range imho

I feel like deadlifts also a well balanced physique when done correctly
Great way to changed grip/stance and focus on weak spots as well.
 
I stopped doing deadlifts due to sacroiliitis that wouldn't go away. It's become chronic and every time I try them it flares up and I have to stop. That said, I really enjoy deadlifting when it doesn't cause me pain :/

Instead, I do bulgarian split squats, single leg RDLs, leg curls (not a big fan, but they work). Of those my favorite by far is the bulgarian split squat. I fucking love it. It's hard as fuck with heavy weight, inproves coordination, and gives me the best DOMS ever (I love DOMS lol).

I also do a lot of gravel and road cycling in the nice weather and with my clipless pedals I am always sure to really accentuate the pull motion all the way through the circle of motion. It works really well. I also go througy "sets" like up hills where I focus on really pumping my up and that is very enjoyable too.

I have to say this article is pretty legit for DL alternatives. The leg curl to pendlay row is a killer. 7 Effective Alternatives to the Deadlift
 
You don’t NEED to deadlift, but it takes several movements to replace their benefits.

You can absolutely build a monster physique without ever doing them, but they’re a very high bang-for-your-buck exercise.
The main thing to remember with deadlifts is that they are more of a strength exercise than hypertrophy per se. There is not a lot of range of motion overall so the stretch reflex that triggers muscle fiber recruitment is not the same as say a full-range squat. Deadlifts trigger growth through other mechanisms, such as isometric tension in the upper back and traps, which explains why deadlifts and rack pull variations build big traps and thickness in the upper back.
When programmed into a training cycle, you definitely need to manage your recovery as they tax the CNS and the body’s systematic recovery much more than other exercises do.
 
And also to mention that deadlifts are great for posture. Poor posture from too many hours of sitting and slouching over time will create muscular imbalances that lead to compromised posture and injury. Deadlifts can help prevent these issues.
 
This is me, every conditioning workout ever.
Lmao! For me cardio gets rid of those questions and problems! Don't need to think about anything except the fluid motion of running/elliptical or feeling the bike and my leg muscles cry in joy as they get pumped as fuck. Biking is my favorite cardio by far. I go hard in the mufuckin paint on my bike! Usually average about 16-18 mph even up very large hills, flat land I cruise at 17-22 mph, even on gravel trails. I am a sprinter for sure, I tend to do rides no longer than 20 miles though or my ass gets too sore. Even just getting out and pumping through 10 mils in 30-35 mins just feels so good. Fucking love that shit. Then hop in the sauna for 30 mins when I get home and I am high as a kite when I'm done!! Lifting is very similar, all the problems go away, just mind muscle connection, it's very meditative for me.
 
I train Push/Pull/Legs/Arms scheme and I was doing deadlifts on the pull day, about 4 effective sets after the warm-up+aproximation. About 80-85% RM.

Problem is, after that, I note a huge drop in performance in the next exercises compared to not doing deadlifts on pull day, pull-ups and rows got weak.

Instead, if I don´t do deadlifts, I do nice strong weighted pull-ups at 6-8 reps, and then dropping the weight and doing bodyweight for higher reps, sets till total pull-up failure. Then go to the rows and nice and clean one-arm heavy dumbells and continuing afterward with pulleys and cables for 12-20 reps for pumping blood.

My point is deadlifts consume too much energy and they don´t beat pull-ups and rows in terms of back hypertrophy, what´s more, the contraction is superior in those later pull exercises. And I can´t get deadlifts on legs day because if I do squats, I am going to kill it.

Does this resonate with someone?
gonna propose something wild here, but stick with me.

Do deadlifts at the end. They tie together a back workout like no other and the weak link will never be your legs or your CNS.

Ive seen plenty of people with weak backs that don’t deadlift. Haven’t seen too many people with a good dl and a weak back..take from that what you will.

no exercise is necessary, but DLs can def be fit into a bodybuilding scheme.

my back always looks thicker/better when DLs are in.
 
gonna propose something wild here, but stick with me.

Do deadlifts at the end. They tie together a back workout like no other and the weak link will never be your legs or your CNS.

Ive seen plenty of people with weak backs that don’t deadlift. Haven’t seen too many people with a good dl and a weak back..take from that what you will.

no exercise is necessary, but DLs can def be fit into a bodybuilding scheme.

my back always looks thicker/better when DLs are in.
That’s how they’re done in Doggcrapp training.

Do them last and do them deliberately. It hurts the old ego to dial them back on weight, but if you do them and concentrate on precision form, slowing the negative and 6-8 rep sets, they’re magical for back thickness.

Powerlifting deadlifts to raise your total and deadlifts for hypertrophy are two different beasts IMO.
 
That’s how they’re done in Doggcrapp training.

Do them last and do them deliberately. It hurts the old ego to dial them back on weight, but if you do them and concentrate on precision form, slowing the negative and 6-8 rep sets, they’re magical for back thickness.

Powerlifting deadlifts to raise your total and deadlifts for hypertrophy are two different beasts IMO.
yeah but touching the floor or not?
 
gonna propose something wild here, but stick with me.

Do deadlifts at the end. They tie together a back workout like no other and the weak link will never be your legs or your CNS.

Ive seen plenty of people with weak backs that don’t deadlift. Haven’t seen too many people with a good dl and a weak back..take from that what you will.

no exercise is necessary, but DLs can def be fit into a bodybuilding scheme.

my back always looks thicker/better when DLs are in.

That’s how they’re done in Doggcrapp training.

Do them last and do them deliberately. It hurts the old ego to dial them back on weight, but if you do them and concentrate on precision form, slowing the negative and 6-8 rep sets, they’re magical for back thickness.

Powerlifting deadlifts to raise your total and deadlifts for hypertrophy are two different beasts IMO.

Its interesting
@malfeasance recommended a similar idea on shoulder weights
I typically start with heavy OHP and switch to things like raises after I get my heavy presses done.

He suggested the opposite
The pumps I'm getting from doing raises without fatigue is crazy and I'm happy with how shoulders are coming along.

With DL however, I always train them last.... but also first

Because they get their own day, all to themselves lmfao
 
Its interesting
@malfeasance recommended a similar idea on shoulder weights
I typically start with heavy OHP and switch to things like raises after I get my heavy presses done.

He suggested the opposite
The pumps I'm getting from doing raises without fatigue is crazy and I'm happy with how shoulders are coming along.

With DL however, I always train them last.... but also first

Because they get their own day, all to themselves lmfao
High % 1RM deadlifts def have their place. I don’t think any other movement helps move forward CNS adaptation/overall strength. Theyre just too taxing to do first on back day and expect to stimulate The rest of your back afterward.
 
High % 1RM deadlifts def have their place. I don’t think any other movement helps move forward CNS adaptation/overall strength. Theyre just too taxing to do first on back day and expect to stimulate The rest of your back afterward.

100%
I dont even bother to try.
I've tried to hit rows etc after a heavy deadlift
That's a no go
So I just add lighter DL variations like snatch grip DL or deficits with lighter weight to really keep punishing myself

But CNS work is my overall goal, I wouldnt for sure change it up if my DL were for bodybuilding purposes
 
High % 1RM deadlifts def have their place. I don’t think any other movement helps move forward CNS adaptation/overall strength. Theyre just too taxing to do first on back day and expect to stimulate The rest of your back afterward.

Nice, that´s exactly what I felt and made me start the thread.
 
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