Hey! You guys are having fun w/out me. I didn't click on this thread b/c I hate polls but this one is pretty entertaining. I'd have to agree w/ the poster who said extreme distance running. Definitely the most transforming weight training exercise. LoL
i'll go for deads... simply because there isn't a WEIGHTLIFTING exercise amongst those listed (excluding "others" lol) that involves more muscle groups than deads - hence potential intensity (amount of weight moved in a single rep) and hence effect on the physique.
AND, another awesom thing about deads is if you use low weight for many reps, lowering time between sets and rep tempo, then you have an excellent cardio workout too.
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I'll throw in a vote for military press. Looking at the question, it is about physique altering, not strength, so I picked this one.
When a person develops a wicked set of delts it is very visible to even non-weight trainers. In a shirt, a tank, on the beach. Combined with tight abs makes for a good V shape.
Hate to agree with a conservative Republican - but he has a point. Even in a shirt, broad shoulders with well developed delts stand out. The appearance of strength is magnified by the shoulder girdle.
Back development is nice to have, but is harder to appreciate unless the person does not have a shirt on or has oly lift built traps.