Squats vs Deadlifts-Which affects more muscle groups?

[asdfzxcv]

Hello everyone.

This may sound like a stupid question,but I am curious as to which movement incorporates more of the muscles of the human body,squats or deadlifts.I have often heard squats referred to as ''The king of all exercises'' due to the way in which the entire lower body+core is used in the movement.However,the deadlift I believe would have an equal claim to this title.The general range of motion is somewhat similiar,but with the deadlift you have the added task of actually holding on to the bar as you pull the weight from the floor.

If anyone has any input on this matter it would be most appreciated .

 

[dookie1481]

They generally involve about the same amount of musclature, but squats have a longer ROM, so they are generally superior.

 

[musketeer]

Hmm good Q but I believe that deads hit the entire body whereas squats target particular muscles better. The squat is more taxing because the bar is supported by the body through the entireity of the set, and the balancing involved requires more effort per pound lifted. The squat is relatively poor at stimulating the upper traps, arms (that's tris bis AND forearms), delts, chest, and lats. Whereas the dead will hit all of those except the chest and tris.

The deadlift (performed the ususal way) is very much like a squat, it just involves anchoring the bar to the arms instead of the back.

 

[blut wump]

The squat for me is a much more technical lift and I have to keep myself tight pretty much throughout. With the deadlift, once I'm moving it's just pull and try to stand upright. There's a little bit of thought as the bar passes my knees but that's pretty much it.

I have to think that the dead stimulates more since it's only after a deadlift effort that I've been completely wiped out the following day. I think the squat is a more harmonious lift for the body involving the core much more than the dead.

 

[Anthrax Invasion]

The deadlift stimulates more musculature on the whole. For a bodybuilder, deadlifts can't really be beat. Thing is, a mixed grip is necessary to get the most out of the lift for hypertrophy. Switching up the mixed grip is even better. A wider stance mixed grip (i.e. sumo deadlift) will probably target the most muscle groups.

The thing about squats is, they have the best athletic carryover. Squats, while giving you leg mass and strength, will increase your sprinting ability, your VJ, and you'll be more explosive on the whole. For an athlete, squats reign supreme. For a casual lifter or bodybuilder looking to add solid mass quickly, deadlifts will probably do the trick more quickly.

Then again, it's always better to incorpoate both. Deadlifts are draining and cannot be trained nearly as often as squats.

If I had to choose, I'd have to say squats are king. Deadlifts can be emperor, or something...

 

[kethnaab]

the one that is superior is the one that supports and suits your structure more

both of them are phenominal, but taller guys will generally get a lot more out of the deadlifts because of physical limitations for tall dudes.

not *all* tall dudes, mind you. but many.

regardless, if you are extraordinarily good at one, roll with it. your whole body will benefit.

 

[cubuff27]

5x5 squats on Monday takes a ton of my mental power to get through. Just slowly churning out rep after rep with such heavy weight takes it's toll and drains not only your physical reserves but your mental. Deads are draining physcially, but to me don't take the mental concentration to accomplish. There is no balancing invovled or dread should you fail the lift that it will crush you. You just miss it and let go. Miss a squat and shit hits the fan.

 

[Anthrax Invasion]

If you miss a squat, you should be okay, so long as you have a power rack. I recently picked up a pair of sawhorses from Home Depot for $55. They support 1000 lbs. total, and are more than adequate for me. Before them, I had to make sure I never failed when I would squat in my basement.

If you workout at home, I'd recommend a pair of these babies.

I wonder, though...could the new additions actually make me more reliant and susceptible to failure?